Virginian Police Chief Dana Waldron has his job back after the city's Police Civil Service Commission this morning ruled Waldron should be reinstated with back pay.
Waldron has been on administrative leave since Jan. 25 during the dispute between city officials and the chief that culminated in a civil service trial earlier this month. The commission found Waldron guilty of four of 16 charges but said that wasn't enough to fire him.
Waldron was paid for most of the leave but has not been paid since Aug. 1, he said. The commission said he should receive back pay for those days.
"Chief Waldron is reinstated. He gets his back pay immediately," Mayor Steve Peterson told the News Tribune this morning. "We're not sure how or when he will resume his duties. The council is discussing our next step with (legal) counsel now. We really aren't sure what our options are."
Waldron, chief for the last nine years, said he was excited about the opportunity to have his job back but said he wasn't planning to return until he gets direction from the city.
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"I've told the HR director that I'll wait to hear from them, the sooner the better," Waldron said. "I think the commission did their due diligence. I agree I'm not perfect. I agree I can improve and that's what I'm planning to do."
The civil service trial had focused on claims by officers in the department that the chief created a poor working environment and lacked proper leadership skills.
Peterson said the Police Commission suggested Waldron participate in anger management classes but ordered no other action. The mayor added that he's concerned about poor morale and reaction to the dispute within the Police Department, with Waldron now leading a force that testified against him.
"That's my biggest concern now," Peterson said.
But Waldron said all sides must put the issue behind them.
"We all have to get past that now and figure out a way to move forward in the best interests of the city," Waldron said, adding that he's received strong support from within the community. "Everywhere I went people expressed their support for me, and I'd like to thank everyone for that."
Earlier this summer, Waldron had agreed to a settlement with the city to leave the job for a cash settlement, which the council later rejected. A second agreement was later nixed by Waldron.
