HAMMOND - A former Hammond police chief will receive more than $800,000 in a settlement with the city,

The Daily Star reports Roddy Devall will receive the money, and the city issued him a commission and badge marked as retired, but will not be reinstated or return to employment.

Hammond Mayor Pete Panepinto announced the settlement after weeks of negotiations resolving lawsuits by the former chief. Devall sued after he was investigated and terminated in 2015 following a controversial decision to release a press release on a police officer's arrest.

Six lawsuits have spanned over 20 years and involved four mayors, city council members, and the Hammond Municipal Fire and Police Service Board, according to a statement from the city on the agreement.

“We believed settlement was best for the city. The police department has moved in a positive direction under the leadership of Chief James Stewart,” said Panepinto. “We’ve had citizens and neighborhood watch groups tell us that they really like Chief Stewart and appreciate his proactive community policing efforts.”