CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings released the full text of his $300,000 settlement with the Charlotte City Council. The police chief has been criticized over the settlement and the Fraternal Order of Police is in the process of holding a no confidence vote on Jennings.

The state auditor has said he will investigate the agreement.

“While this document contains my personnel information and isn’t typically public, I worked closely with the city attorney to amend it for release in the interest of full transparency,” Jennings said in a statement. “I have been granted the discretion to make this public, and because it is my personnel information, I am the one responsible for its release and have made the decision to do so.”

He continued, addressing what he called misinformation and oversimplifications circulating in the public sphere.

Related: Under fire, CMPD chief to retire

“There have been many assumptions circulating in the media regarding this agreement. It’s crucial to understand that the vast majority of it relates to my salary and vacation time. It is far more nuanced than portrayed, and I hope your story will reflect that. This agreement includes a package equivalent to my current salary, a standard 5% merit increase, 40 days of vacation to use at my discretion, coverage for costs related to this matter (including legal representation), a retention bonus for me to stay through year-end and an amount paid after my retirement. The severance pay is not considered pension-eligible wages,” Jennings said.

Spectrum News 1 obtained the settlement agreement, which details how the $300,000 package is structured. It highlights compensation components that go beyond a simple severance.

The documentation was released following his announcement to retire at the end of the year.

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek said on Tuesday, May 20, he’d look into the Charlotte City Council settlement with Jennings. In a letter to Mayor Vi Lyles, he said the settlement should be disclosed publicly, “even if the payment was worth one penny.”

The chief released the settlement agreement as the Charlotte Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 is holding a vote of no confidence against Jennings. 

“We are immensely grateful for his 33 years of service and his commitment to leading the department through the end of the year,” Mayor Vi Lyles said on the chief Tuesday. “We wish him all the best as he prepares for his retirement.”

As Charlotte’s mayor thanks Jennings for his service, City Manager Marcus Jones said the search for the city’s next chief will be focused on finding a leader.

“We are incredibly grateful for his profound contributions and wish him a well-deserved, fulfilling retirement. As we begin the search for our next chief, we are committed to finding a leader who will continue to build upon Chief Jennings’ legacy and uphold our city’s commitment to safety and justice for all,” Jones said.

Chief Jennings Settlement

Chief Jennings Amended Waiver Separation Agreement