Politics & Government

Dormont Civil Service Commission Overturns Phil Ross Demotion From Chief

The commission found the borough's evidence against Ross insufficient to support charges that included insubordination.

WILL BE UPDATED:

Dormont’s Civil Service Commission overturned Phil Ross’ from police chief to sergeant, finding the borough’s evidence insufficient and not believable.

The three-member commission voted unanimously Tuesday night and said Ross should be reinstated with back pay.

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The audience of about 30 Ross supporters—including Mayor Tom Lloyd, councilwoman Joan Hodson and police officers—applauded the ruling.

Ross said he was pleased, but declined further comment. He faces an Aug. 6 appeal hearing of his demotion to patrolman for in police cars.

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Neither Borough Manager Gino Rizza or any council members who voted to demote Ross were present.

Chris Gabriel, the borough's labor attorney, said the borough would appeal.

The borough had charged, among other things, that Ross was insubordinate to council and refused to work with Rizza, failed to maintain records of police department activities and failed to manage the schedule efficiently.

But the commission flatly rejected the borough's position.

“The Civil Service Commission has no personal or political connection to Phillip Ross or members borough council. The Civil Service Commission decision in this case is based solely upon the evidence presented, and it finds the evidence to be both insufficient, as a matter of law, and further finds that the evidence is not credible, to sustain the charges brought,” its ruling said.

The commissioners each declined to further elaborate.


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