DOVER -- A former police officer who accused Dover officials of fixing a traffic ticket for the mayor's campaign worker and reported officers for "stealing time" will receive $320,000, according to a recent settlement.

The settlement, released by the open records advocate John Paff, indicated Timothy Thiel will be paid $320,000 for physical and emotional distress, an additional $60,000 of "accrued time," and a $2,500 medical insurance opt-out payment, totaling $382,500.

Dover, as part of the settlement agreement, also agreed not to interfere with Thiel's application for pension benefits and to "cooperate with (Thiel's) reenrollment application for family coverage in the town's group insurance program."

Thiel told NJ Advance Media he retired effective July 1 due to an injury and that he was leaving on "amicable terms with everyone."

"It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to serve the residents of the town of Dover for the past 13 years," he said. "I was fortunate enough to have served alongside of some of the best officers this state has to offer. Not only did I fulfill a lifelong dream of being a police officer, I was lucky enough to call myself a Dover cop."

Dover Business Administrator Donald Travisano said the town wishes Thiel well and that the police department, like the town, is currently undergoing a transformation.

"The force has changed from an old school reactionary one with leadership challenges, mired in controversy and stagnancy, to a community oriented police department proactive by mandate," Travisano said. "Strong leadership is the new benchmark for the department. Under the day to day leadership of Public Safety Director Dan DeGroot and Deputy Chief Anthony Smith, in short order and through attrition, the department on the whole has become flexible, younger, cheaper, more bilingual, better educated and trained, better equipped, and more cost effective and efficient."

He continued: "Gone are the days of a department wrought with deceit, confrontation and retaliation. Today, merit is earned through hard work and initiative. Exciting times lie ahead for the Town and the Police Department will lead the way. We will continue the momentum towards a professional high achieving police force."

Thiel, who joined the police department in 2004, alleged in a whistleblower lawsuit his troubles began after a November 2011 traffic stop. The driver was a campaign worker for Dover Mayor James Dodd and the passenger was Dover Alderwoman Carolyn Blackman, the lawsuit stated.

Thiel said he wrote the tickets despite being pressured not to, but later learned they'd been dismissed without his knowledge or approval by being assigned to a non-existent courtroom.

As NJ.com reported in January 2014, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office reviewed that ticket dismissal and several others, but told the town in a letter its inquiries "failed to produce sufficient evidence to prove and criminal act beyond a reasonable doubt."

The prosecutor's office, however, did find "troubling" activity, according to the November 2013 letter obtained by NJ.com and verified by multiple officials who had seen it.

"In fact, we have learned that the staff of the municipal court may be scheduling matters in a non-existent 'Courtroom 2' in order to avoid notifying the issuing officers," the letter states. "Apparently, the police department is only noticed on those matters scheduled for 'Courtroom 1.'"

There is only one courtroom in Dover.

Thiel, in his lawsuit, said he brought his concerns to his supervisor, then-Detective Sgt. Richard Gonzalez, who referred the information to the prosecutor's office.

Gonzalez, who filed his own federal lawsuit against the town alleging he suffered retaliation for backing the Dover mayor's political opponent and for exposing misconduct on the force, received a $420,000 settlement last year.

As part of his lawsuit, Gonzalez alleged a long campaign by Dodd and others to keep him from advancing in the police department.

Dodd previously told NJ.com he's not involved in the day-to-day-operations of the police department and couldn't retaliate against Gonzalez even if he wanted to do so.

Travisano said he would issue a statement later in the day on Wednesday.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.