That's one possible interpretation of a story by Channel 4 investigator Brian Maass. He reports that Whitman "has signed up for Denver's Deferred Retirement Option, or 'DROP' plan, which means his career with the Denver Police Department will be over in five years, at most."
As DPD spokesman Lt. Matt Murray points out in Maass's piece, Whitman joined DROP this summer, before incidents involving DeHerrera, James Watkins, Marvin Booker and others riveted the public's attention on the question of alleged police misconduct.
Nonetheless, the resignation of Denver Manager of Safety Ron Perea is only one indication of the current scandal's potential impact. There haven't been widespread calls for Whitman's scalp thus far -- but word that he's already thinking about retirement could prove to be the equivalent of blood in the water.