Two outside investigations into Castro case find no collusion; Bennett report recommends discipline

Two outside investigative firms presented differing but complementary accounts of a Lawrence police incident and the processes that followed, and their findings were discussed at a special City Council meeting on Feb. 4.

Daniel Bennett of Comprehensive Investigations and Consulting concluded his investigation (submitted to the city in October 2024) with multiple findings about a Feb. motor-vehicle pursuit and related conduct. Bennett recommended three forms of discipline: termination for false reporting, termination for alleged unethical hiring practices, and termination for intimidation; he also recommended a 90-day suspension on one pursuit-related sustained allegation. Bennett told the council he reviewed video, dispatch calls and witness testimony and said those materials supported his findings.

Maverick Investigative Services, led by Rob Morin, was asked by the city to determine whether the initial investigation had been compromised by collusion or interference. Morin said his firm's scope was narrower: "We were tasked with first determining how the investigation expanded from the initial complaint ... and then if there was any collusion that would have somehow, interfered with Bennett's investigation," he said. Morin summarized his primary finding bluntly:…