Arbitrator Reinstates St. Joseph Police Officer With Back-Pay And Benefits

In 2012, the City of St. Joseph discharged a police officer after accusing him of being dishonest during an internal affairs statement.  The City had received an opinion from its municipal prosecutor opining that the officer had Brady issues, which means that she was concerned his testimony in court may not be credible in light of the dishonesty allegation.  Morgan represented the officer in an arbitration hearing in March of 2013, at which he presented evidence that that the officer had not been dishonest during his internal affairs statement and also presented expert testimony indicating that the officer did not suffer from Brady issues.  In June of 2013, the Arbitrator issued an Award reinstating the officer with back-pay and benefits.  He held that “the evidence does not support a finding the [officer] had an intent to deceive or misrepresent with his answers, or that the [officer] engaged in intentional dishonesty or untruthfulness.”