Philly officers fired, punished for videotaped police beating get 2nd chance from arbitrator
By APFriday, March 12, 2010
Fired, punished Philly officers get 2nd chance
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police say eight officers who were fired or disciplined after a TV news helicopter captured video of them beating three suspects are getting their jobs back or punishments reduced.
The American Arbitration Association found that two fired officers should be reinstated and four disciplined officers were punished too harshly.
Two rookie police academy graduates had no standing with the arbitrator because they were in their probationary period when they were fired. But Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says that, given the other decisions, they are likely to be reinstated if they apply.
Ramsey fired and disciplined the officers in May 2008. He said Friday he does not agree with the decision but respects the arbitrator’s ruling.
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com
