Lawrence council reviews Bennett report on acting police chief; questions about redactions, second probe

Lawrence City Council held a special public meeting on Jan. 22, 2025, to review the October 2024 "Bennett" investigation into acting Police Chief David Castro and to discuss a second, mayor-commissioned supplement by a firm called Maverick.

The Bennett report, prepared by CIC Investigations (led by Dan Bennett), concluded that several allegations against Castro were sustained and recommended disciplinary action. According to City Attorney Houghton, CIC conducted more than 18 interviews, reviewed roughly 50 documents and recommended a 90-day suspension for violations of the department's motor-vehicle-pursuit policy and termination for other sustained counts. The report also concluded at least one allegation (described in the report as retaliation or retribution) was not sustained.

Why it matters: Councilors said the findings could affect public trust and departmental operations; they pressed the administration for complete documentation and for the supplemental Maverick report the mayor has commissioned.

What the meeting covered - Origin and scope: City Attorney Houghton said the personnel director contracted CIC in August 2024 after the Police Department referred the matter to POST (the statewide peace officer standards body) following an internal review. Houghton said CIC had been used previously by the city for outside investigations and that Bennett—s team interviewed numerous…