CHICAGO — A fire department dispatcher, who was accused of pistol-whipping his girlfriend and beating her with his fists, will be returning to work.
ABC7Chicago reported that it has been almost three months since the 35-year-old man, who has been a fire department dispatcher for five years, was accused of beating his girlfriend. According to officials, he will be returning to his old job and continue collecting his $79,740 salary. Some, including female co-workers, have complained to their supervisors about his return.
Officials had asked for the dispatcher to be terminated, but the city said his alleged criminal conduct was committed while he was off-duty and his case lacks evidence to proceed with discipline.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications released this statement:
“OEMC requested a review for the termination of the dispatcher from the Department of Law for the alleged criminal conduct committed while he was off-duty. However, under the Illinois Human Rights Act, an employer must have evidence of actual criminal conduct and the criminal conduct must have a nexus with the job. The city lacked evident to proceed with discipline at this time for the alleged criminal conduct.”
The dispatcher was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. His girlfriend, according to the report, did not want to pursue felony charges. The incident was the second time he has been arrested in four months. In September, he pleaded guilty to an off-duty drunken driving incident.
The dispatcher will return to his regular assignment on April 8.