Settlement Approved $215K for Oklahoma Officer

The city of Lawton, Okla., has approved a $215,000 settlement with a police officer who argued that he was wrongly terminated from the department.

The Lawton Constitution reports that Lt. Charles Todd Palmer filed a grievance against the city after he was fired in January 2011. The complaint says the police department claimed Palmer had been destructive while searching the property of suspects, among other allegations.

An arbitrator ruled after a grievance hearing that Palmer should be reinstated to the department and receive back pay. The city initially challenged that ruling, but the Lawton City Council approved a settlement Tuesday with Palmer.

The settlement calls for $215,000 in back pay and a lump-sum buyout for Palmer. It also calls for Palmer’s resignation or retirement from the department, effective Aug. 31.