Ashland police chief to get $50,000 from city in settlement

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Ashland will pay its former police chief $50,000 to go away under the terms of a settlement agreed to this week.

More than $18,600 of the money is from payroll costs already owed to Edwards, including vacation payouts, City Administrator Kyle Michel wrote in an email. That money will be paid for by the city's insurance carrier, Michel wrote.

Edwards' lawyer, Matt Uhrig, and the city told ABC 17 News on Wednesday that Edwards had resigned as part of the settlement. Scott Young remains interim chief until an appointment is made by the Board of Aldermen.

Edwards had been suspended after city officials accused him of improper use of law enforcement records, making racially insensitive comments and other transgressions. Edwards sued in response, saying the city removed him illegally because he criticized the mayor on social media.