Dormont Sergeant Ross Attends Investigatory, Pre-disciplinary Hearings

Dormont Sgt. Phil Ross has his job, but remains on paid suspension, after hearings concerning his job performance Wednesday night.

Ross declined comment afterward, but hugged and thanked supporters who waited outside the borough building while the hearings, closed to the public, took place.

At one point, the crowd numbered about two-dozen people, including two borough police officers, Councilwoman Joan Hodson, her husband James, who is running for council on the Republican ticket, and Democratic candidates Onnie Costanzo and Valerie Martino.

Ross’ attorney, Scott Lautner, said several issues were discussed, but wouldn't confirm if they concerned Ross' suspension for his involvement with GPS units in police cars or a filed against borough Manager Gino Rizza for entering the police station through a door Ross had contended was essentially for police only.

“Phil has done nothing wrong. He’s acted accordingly under a great deal of stress and under a great deal of scrutiny,” Lautner said.

He also predicted Ross, whom council to sergeant in March, would get his job back.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen when Dormont Borough’s the smallest borough in the United States with two chiefs,” he said.

It was an apparent reference to the hiring of , a former Pittsburgh lieutenant and Wilkinsburg chief, as acting chief to help search for a new chief and smooth tensions between the administration and police department.

Chris Gabriel, the borough’s labor attorney, said the administration wasn't permitted to discuss what went on in the hearings.

Rizza, Mayor Tom Lloyd, Assistant Borough Manager Ian McMeans, acting chief Richard Dwyer and police union representative Sgt. Jim Briglia also attended the investigatory hearing and Loudermill hearing.

A Loudermill hearing is essentially a due process hearing at which a public employee facing discipline is notified of charges against him or her and given the opportunity to respond before discipline may be issued.

Gabriel said he'd report what happened to council so they can decide what discipline to take. That will most likely happen at its July 5 meeting.