An arbitrator in Minnesota has ruled that an officer fired in 2018 should be reinstated.
According to Minnesota Public Radio, 51-year-old Officer Phillip Lombardi was fired after he got into a confrontation with a woman off duty. The woman had kicked his car, and Lombardi got into a verbal confrontation with her.
The woman claimed that Lombardi had grabbed her by the neck—an allegation he denied.
Lombardi pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and has met the conditions of his probation.
Arbitrator Phillip Finkelstein said that during Lombardi's 20 years in law enforcement, he'd received numerous awards and commendations but no prior discipline.