>> reporter: while some states have passed laws stripping pensions from convicted cops, in more than 30 states, police officers would keep their pensions, even if they were found guilty of murder or rape while on the job. miami police chief acevedo believes the threat of losing a pension can be a powerful deterrent. >> pensions are important to people, so we need to make sure we have skin in the game and when officers do the wrong thing, they should be taken away. >> reporter: police advocates say that can be unfair to the police officers and their families. >> why build on a tragedy, when the officer's life is over? they are potentially in prison, they are civilly sued. so i would be in favor of not punishing the family that has been along the side of this officer. >> reporter: former officer carl thompson is now out of prison, retired and received more than $150,000 of his pension and