Norfolk approves $308,000 payout for retiring police chief
NORFOLK — The City Council cleared the way for outgoing Police Chief Larry Boone to receive a $308,000 payout from the city when he retires Friday.
Boone announced his retirement April 6 following a series of violent weekends in Norfolk. He stepped down from his post two days later and is using his accrued leave until his official retirement at the end of the week.
The council voted 6-1 Tuesday evening to approve the $308,000 in “additional compensation” for Boone.
Councilman Tommy Smigiel voted against the resolution. He said he disagreed with the way Boone’s abrupt departure was being handled by the city manager’s office, and said it was unclear whether “it was (Boone’s) decision to retire.”
“Some people would say it looks like a severance package,” Smigiel said.
Councilman Paul Riddick told The Virginian-Pilot the city should give Boone more money. Riddick also claimed, without offering evidence, that the police chief was fired by the city manager.
He said Boone “should file a suit against the city for wrongful termination.”
The money for Boone’s payout will come from the city’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
The program allows sworn police and fire workers to formally retire while continuing to work for the city as an active employee for up to four years, according to a retirement guide for city workers.
The council’s resolution will pay Boone the amount he would have received had he participated for the maximum time period of four years, according to the city.
City Manager Chip Filer offered no explanation at the council meeting for why the additional compensation was being provided. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday evening.
It’s also unclear whether the city has previously used DROP money for police and fire officials who retire and don’t continue working for the city. A city spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions about the program.
Boone did not respond to requests for comment. He has previously declined to comment about his departure.
Boone has been with the department since 1989 and was appointed chief in 2016. In a statement issued April 6 by the city, the chief said he decided “the time is right to retire” and noted his goal was to see NPD through the pandemic.
The police department has more than 200 vacant jobs and is grappling with a spike in violent crime.
Weeks after Boone left his post, one of his three assistant chiefs, T.C. Williams, also stepped down from the department. An online city directory lists Williams as the assistant chief overseeing investigative services.
The council planned to vote Tuesday on a compensation package for Williams but removed it from the agenda without comment.