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By Ashley Silver
Police1
COLOMBUS, Ohio — Five of the six Columbus Division of Police deputy chiefs are reportedly eligible to receive $500,000 in retirement buyouts if they meet certain criteria designated by the city. However, the payment is available for up to four deputy chiefs with 25 or more years of experience.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, to be eligible for the voluntary incentive, the deputy chiefs would have to dismiss any legal complaints or lawsuits filed against the city that are related to their employment. If selected, they would leave the department in January.
In August, the city council set aside up to $1 million in funds for buyout incentives for deputy chiefs, enough for a payment of $300,000 for three people. However, the council has not yet approved the remainder of the funding and has not disclosed where the additional money would be drawn from to pay for the $2 million in payments to give the four deputy chiefs $500,000 each.
Earlier this year, over 200 Columbus officers – from commanders down to patrol officers – applied to leave the department for the retirement incentive program. The news came after the city announced they would offer up to 100 members a one-time $200,000 buyout.
Mayor Andrew Ginther told The Columbus Dispatch that the program was “designed to allow officers an exit if they were not on-board with the vision of the new police chief, Elaine Bryant, as well as other changes.”
The city is still in the process of hiring new officers. Over the summer, the city had to boost police overtime with officers retiring in waves.
RELATED: Ohio city council clears way for more police retirement buyouts
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