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Arbitrator upholds sergeant’s firing

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer 6:36 PM Friday, January 6, 2012

TRENTON — The termination of a Trenton police sergeant has been upheld by an arbitrator.

Sgt. Mike Matala’s termination in July was reduced to a 30-day suspension without pay, but he will not be reinstated, according to the ruling.

Matala was awarded back pay from Aug. 20 through Dec. 28, which amounts to approximately $15,000 before deductions, according to Trenton City Manager John Jones.

“Matala needed to move on from our department,” Jones said. “I’m happy we won the decision. This allows us now to move forward and also to fill the vacancy of sergeant which has been empty since July.”

Matala, a 10-year member of the Trenton Police Department, was terminated effective July 20 following a pre-disciplinary hearing for insubordination for failure to obey an order; absent without leave for leaving his assignment without permission; conduct unbecoming an officer and for use of OHLEG for non-law enforcement purposes. His salary was $70,758 in 2010.

“I don’t necessarily agree (with the decision),” Matala said of the arbitrator’s ruling. “As a police officer I value honesty, pride and integrity. But if that’s the way that department wants to operate then I guess I’d rather work somewhere else.”

The situation began when Matala wrote a citation for a traffic violation on May 16, to a Trenton resident who is the wife of firefighter in another city.

Three days later at the request of the woman’s husband and after review of the traffic stop video, the citation was voided by Lt. Mike Gillen.

Matala rebuked the decision to void the ticket, leading to his being placed on administrative leave by Jones pending an investigation and to his eventual termination following a confrontation with Gillen in the police station.

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