CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A news conference planned for Wednesday with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s chief is canceled and the reason may have to do with state law.

If the timeline of Putney's retirement wasn't confusing enough, we hit another bump in the road Tuesday night. Putney was supposed to retire January 1, he would then return after two months to resume his position so he could lead the department during next year's Republican National Convention.

He would then fully retire after the RNC. The City of Charlotte released a statement Tuesday evening following questions of the legality of that timeline.

“The intention for our transition plan is a solution that is in the best interests of the city, the residents of Charlotte and Chief Kerr Putney. There is no intent to circumvent the law. The statute does not prohibit hiring back a retiree, which is a widely accepted practice across the country. The statute defines retirement but does not define the terms by which a retiree may return for limited service. We plan to have Chief Putney return to the city in 2020 to run the day-to-day operations of our police department and lead security efforts surrounding the Republican National Convention next summer, while following all rules for retiree hire-backs. We will seek further clarification from the North Carolina retirement system." 

A source with the city sent Spectrum News a memo received by city council members Tuesday evening which referred to a specific section of the statute. It says retirement can only start when monthly retirement benefits begin along with the person ending their employment as well as the complete separation from active service with no intent or agreement, expressed or implied to return. 

Also in the memo, the city told council members it made several phone calls to the North Carolina Retirement System before Putney's retirement. Despite that, the city attorney and human resources director will seek further clarification.

At the end of the memo, the city says these developments are why it is canceling Wednesday's press conference.