Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon retiring after 3 years as ‘top cop’
The Top Cop of the city is retiring in nearly 20 days, after 3 years of filling the position.
All three years as Chief, Freddie Blackmon and his leadership has been questioned. Recently, the questioning and conversations became action when City Council offered Chief Blackmon a severance package. Week later, Blackmon and his attorney sent their own severance package. Meanwhile, supporters of Chief Blackmon held rallies outside council chambers.
Today, in a special called city council meeting, city councilors and other city officials discussed Blackmon’s position, as well as personnel and possible litigation. After the executive session, City Attorney Clifton Fay announced Chief Blackmon had indicated his formal acceptance of the severance agreement.
Chief Blackmon will be payed $400,000 and receive other benefits in the agreement. Chief Blackmon will retire effective April 30, 2023, and will take paid leave as of April 6, 2023.
The following was issued by Mayor Skip Henderson:
“Prior to becoming Chief, Freddie Blackmon worked his way through the ranks within the CPD from patrol officer to Major. For the 7 years before he took over as Chief, Blackmon oversaw the Office of Professional Standards, where he conducted Internal Affairs investigations of all officer involved shootings and employee misconduct; oversaw the department’s national reaccreditation and state recertification process; and directed criminal intelligence/crime analysis operations to identify crime trends and provide intelligence led policing data.
In 2020, after a nationwide search conducted by an executive search firm, Freddie Blackmon was selected to be the new chief of the Columbus Police Department. Mayor Henderson stated, “He stepped up to lead a department during what was, across the country, one of the most turbulent times in police history. We are grateful for his efforts and thank him for his service.”
Looking forward, the Mayor is expected to name an Interim Chief in the near future, and the search for a new police chief will begin. We hope that during this time of transition, the people of our city will come together to make Columbus a strong and united community.”
The new chief of police has not been named, but our sources suggest, only one person at the police department has the credentials to become the next top cop of the city. This is a developing story.
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