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 department employees and reviewed department policies.

- Key findings summarized from Bennett: Houghton read the report's conclusions aloud. The report sustained an allegation that Castro violated the department's motor-vehicle-pursuit policy and recommended a 90-day suspension. It also sustained allegations of filing a false police report and of unethical hiring practices, recommending termination for those counts. The report described other conduct allegations and recommended termination for several counts; at least one allegation investigated was not sustained in Bennett's findings.

- Castro's interview and a second investigation: Houghton and councilors clarified that investigators attempted to interview Castro; Castro's attorney requested a continuance and did not appear on the consultant's scheduled date. The mayor subsequently engaged Maverick to supplement the work, Houghton said. Councilors and the police union urged the council to wait for the Maverick report before taking final action.

- Public-records, redaction and release timeline: Councilors questioned why distribution of the Bennett report was delayed. Houghton said POST initially subpoenaed the city's copy, which constrained distribution; later the district attorney's office released a redacted copy via FOIA. Houghton said his office redacted the city's copy to protect witness identities and other sensitive data and described the redaction work as time-consuming, noting the report was about 160 pages plus supplements. He said, "I will redact it and I will release it" once appropriate and directed.

- Cost and contracting: Houghton said the city paid two CIC invoices that together total $38,967.50 (he read a combined paid total). He said CIC was under a contract signed Aug. 1, 2024, and that the contract capped payment at $50,000. Councilors asked whether CIC was procured through the standard competitive process; Houghton said the firm was previously used and the matter was treated as exempt from bidding rules.

- Police-union remarks: A union representative identified in the record as Sergeant Michael Seammar spoke for the Lawrence Police Bureau Association and said the situation had eroded trust and that department members were suffering. He asked for an independent, unbiased review and for the council to allow the full set of documents to be compared.

Council action and next steps The council voted to table further action on the item and collect additional documents, including the Bennett report, supporting materials, the mayor's initial internal review and the Maverick supplement when available. A motion to table was made and seconded; the meeting minutes record the motion carried by voice vote.

What the council asked for next Councilors requested (1) the Bennett report and its supporting documents/addenda, (2) the mayor's initial internal review, (3) the Maverick report and contract when completed, and (4) copies of related subpoenas or correspondence from POST and the district attorney's office. Houghton said he would accept a written list from the council of documents they want produced.

Context and immediate outlook Mayor Brian D'Pena sent a letter stating, in part, "It is my belief that the Bennett report is incomplete and both reports need to be reviewed." The mayor's office has said it intends to hold a press conference after the Maverick review is complete. For now the council's review is paused pending receipt of additional documents and the second investigation.

Quotes (selected) - "The Bennett report is incomplete and both reports need to be reviewed," Mayor Brian D'Pena wrote in a Jan. 22 letter read into the record. - City Attorney Houghton: "The report speaks for itself," and later, describing FOIA/redaction: "I will redact it and I will release it." - Police union (Sergeant Michael Seammar): "This is probably the most important issue facing the city of Lawrence today... we speak on behalf of the 37 members of the Lawrence Police Department."

Ending Councilors said they will reconvene when the Maverick report and the requested supporting materials are available. The council tabled the item and adjourned the special meeting after the table motion passed by voice vote.