Danbury ordered to rehire fired cop

Christopher Belair, right, with his father, Stephen, talks to the press at the conclusion of his trial in 2015. More than two years after then-Danbury police officer Christopher Belair was accused of berating an undocumented immigrant and threatening to beat him during a traffic stop, a jury on Thursday found him not guilty at the Superior Court in Danbury. less Christopher Belair, right, with his father, Stephen, talks to the press at the conclusion of his trial in 2015. More than two years after then-Danbury police officer Christopher Belair was accused of berating ... more Photo: Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Danbury ordered to rehire fired cop 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

DANBURY - A judge has ordered the city to rehire a police officer who was fired five years ago after berating a motorist during a traffic stop.

A Superior Court judge ruled that city officials should comply with an arbitrator’s decision that Christopher Belair should get his job back. Belair was fired by Mayor Mark Boughton in June 2013 after a video surfaced showing him shouting profanities at the motorist.

“If there weren't four other cops here, I'd beat the s--- out of you,” Belair shouted, according to court documents.

In September, an arbitration panel found that while Belair’s conduct was “outrageous and disturbing,” the city lacked just cause to terminate his employment and that a 90-day suspension would have been a more appropriate punishment.

The city appealed the decision in a lawsuit filed last year, but a Superior Court judge has ruled that the arbitrator’s decision should stand.

“It’s a little frustrating, but we will abide by the court’s ruling,” Boughton said Tuesday. “Our labor attorney is reviewing the decision and we will make what ever accommodations are necessary.”

The mayor said he stands by his decision to fire Belair, whose tirade was viewed by some as anti-immigrant. The officer could be heard in the video yelling, “Stop being in this country and almost f-----g killing people.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, would you want your mother, your father, your brother or your son treated that way?” Boughton askedd. “But I do believe that officer is remorseful for his actions.”

Boughton said Belair, whose attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday, is no longer certified in the state to serve as a police officer.

“That’s something we’re going to have to work out,” the mayor said. “It may not mean another trip to the police academy. It could just be some updating training that needs to be provided.”

The arbitration panel concluded last year that Belair’s actions were motivated not by the motorist’s immigration status, but rather his drunken state.

According to court filings, Belair had seen the motorist - Rene Chalco - stumbling in the middle of the street shortly before the traffic stop. Belair had offered the man a ride, which was declined.

Belair was charged with third-degree assault and threatening. He was found not guilty of the charges three years ago after a jury trial.