Of those, two resigned, two were reinstated and two were dismissed. There is no way I can run an organization and enforce discipline if every serious case is going to be overturned and the offending employee is put back on the job. The most recent officer to be reinstated is Robert Hill, who went back to work last week after an arbitrator reduced his termination to a week's suspension without pay. After the arbitrator's decision, Police Chief Tom Streicher said he did not want Mr. Hill back on the force. Bob Meade, senior vice president of the American Arbitration Association, says each case is decided on its own merits.
Arbitrators base decisions on existing policies and contract agreements.
Mr. Meade said cases might seem like slam dunks, but if there are no written policies or clear rules, then an arbitrator must decide against the city. But then it turns out there was no rule about it. You would think that the city would learn to be more fair. Arbitrators, by law, he said, are required to make fair conclusions. But Councilman Pat DeWine says the system must change.