PD Chief Womack Mulls Early Retirement After Council Vote

The Douglasville City Council approved an amended retirement policy Monday night, paving the way for embattled police chief Chris Womack to possibly retire early.

Council voted unanimously to allow employees with 30 years of service to retire at the age of 48. Womack, 48, who has butted heads with Council in the past, would qualify for early retirement.

• See video from the Council meeting by clicking here

Womack told reporters the Council’s decision was a response to his own proposal to retire early.

“They basically gave me a counter offer this evening,” Womack told reporters. “It sounds like I’ve got about a week. I’m going to do some praying about it.”

The chief has butted with the Council previously. He was suspended with pay in May as an investigation was conducted over charges of excessive force used in an arrest on I-20 in March. He returned to work on June 22 after the independent investigation found no wrongdoing. Last year, Womack found himself in hot water over comments he made about his department’s pay and attrition rate. The Council voted in a closed meeting at that time to keep Womack.

Douglasville Mayor Harvey Persons said he would not discuss personnel matters that may pertain to the decision.

“It’s an early retirement plan and there is certain criteria that is set forth for that and anyone that fits within that criteria would certainly be able to take advantage of it,” Persons told Fox5.

Womack told the Douglas County Sentinel that no matter what he decides, he wants citizens to know he loves the community.

“I’m not leaving my community,” he said. “I’m confident that the Lord will lead me in the right direction. If this door closes, another one will open.”

Womack grew up in Douglas County.