Settlement Agreement Announced in Toby Aguillard Resignation

UPDATED: $70,000 is being paid by the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government to former Lafayette Police Chief Toby Aguillard in exchange for his resignation earlier this week.

"Lafayette and I shall treat my separation from Lafayette's employment as a voluntary separation for all purposes and Lafayette agrees that I shall retain all rights to payments normally paid to an employee upon resignation," writes Aguillard in the settlement agreement obtained by KATC investigates.

Aguillard writes that he is prepared to "litigate such matters vigorously" as it pertains to cause for his removal.

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On the same day as Josh Guillory becomes the new Lafayette Mayor-President, Lafayette Police Chief Toby Aguillard announces he is resigning.

Nearly a month ago, Aguillard told KPEL that Guillory asked for his resignation during a meeting. Lt. Scott Morgan is being sworn in this afternoon as interim chief.

Aguillard was named police chief by former Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux in November 2016.

He released the following statement to the media:

After careful thought and prayerful reflection, I have decided to resign as Chief of Police of Lafayette, effective January 6, 2020. I will forever be grateful for having had the opportunity to lead one of the finest police departments in our country.

Lafayette’s history has proven that a legal battle between the chief of police and a newly elected mayor causes disruption and stress among the officers, the parties involved, and the citizens. I have no desire to be a part of such turmoil. I hope that my resigning will allow the department and the community to move forward.

Know that I have developed a deep admiration for the men and women of the Lafayette Police Department and I will continue to pray for their safety and success.

I sincerely thank the citizens of Lafayette for their support and I look forward to staying here in Acadiana with my family for years to come.