Lakewood’s $420K Police Settlement: A Recipe for Scandal?

When it comes to public funds and local controversies, Lakewood has just served up a juicy slice of scandal. Former Assistant Police Chief John Unfred is set to pocket over $420,000, but there’s a twist—he’s gotta retire by March 31, 2026. This agreement means he will avoid any resolution regarding the investigation into his administrative leave, which has left many in the community scratching their heads and raising eyebrows. Honestly, is this the kind of deal that builds public trust?

Mayor Jason Whalen faced some backlash, admitting it’s frustrating for the public to remain in the dark. Unfred himself claimed he’d “done nothing wrong,” which, let’s face it, is what nearly anyone would say in that predicament. Meanwhile, Julius Brown, chair of the Lakewood African American Police Advisory Committee, voiced concerns about how this settlement looks to the community. You know what they say: if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…well, you might just have a very expensive duck pond.

As cities hand out settlements like they’re going out of style, one has to wonder where the line is drawn when it comes to accountability and transparency. Are we witnessing merely the usual bureaucratic business, or is there something more shadowy at play? What would you do if you were in charge of making these big decisions? A little more sunshine might be the answer!

About the Author

View All Posts