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Columbus offered the police chief a $250,000 severance package. here are the details

Posted on by angelo
Columbus offered the police chief a 0,000 severance package. here are the details

Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon was offered a $250,000 severance package March 15 after unveiling the department’s new strategic plan to the council the day before, the Columbus mayor confirmed Friday.

A copy of the package obtained by the Ledger-Enquirer showed that Blackmon was offered the following:

  • A one-time lump sum payment of $250,000

  • Health insurance benefits until May 2030

  • Compensation for unused vacation

  • Eligibility for participation in the Government Columbus Consolidated Pension (GCC) to terminate employment by April 5

Mayor Skip Henderson confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer that Blackmon was offered a severance package. Blackmon, who started as chief in November 2020, has an annual salary of $141,984, according to public records.

Blackmon has worked for CPD since 1986.

“It wasn’t a comfortable feeling, but like I said, I know there are challenges. But I would really like the opportunity to work on implementing the strategic plan,” Blackmon told station WTVM.

The strategic plan is an attempt to address criticism of the department stemming from a privately funded study led by Jensen Hughes. Key issues highlighted at a Feb. 15 city council meeting included the need for an anti-gang strategy, the need for more staff and the expansion of the department’s special operations unit.

The report also cites low morale and micromanagement within the department as two other concerns reported by the Ledger-Enquirer.

Blackmon told WTVM he presented an original five-year strategic plan in December 2021 that addressed economic growth, health care and mental health treatment as areas of concern when it comes to violent crime.

He said former police chief Ricky Boren was not treated the same way.

“So I feel like I’m treated differently because of my race,” he said.

Blackmon’s new strategic plan included increased financial benefits for police officers and a restructuring of different sections of the department. This includes the combination of robbery, assault and homicide units, which took effect March 4.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.