Fired Des Moines police officer reinstated

A Des Moines police officer fired in June will return to street patrol in the coming weeks.

As expected, the Des Moines Civil Service Commission on Tuesday overturned Senior Officer Cody Grimes' termination.

Grimes, 34, was fired following an investigation into his arrest on Dec. 27, 2013, when he was charged with domestic assault causing injury and fourth degree criminal mischief. Prosecutors ultimately dismissed the domestic assault charge when Grimes pleaded guilty to the lesser criminal mischief charge and agreed to take an abusive behavior class.

The commission acknowledged the officer's misconduct, but determined firing was too severe. As a lesser punishment Grimes will not receive back pay for the past the 6½ months since his termination.

The Civil Service Commission voted 4-1 to overturn the firing, with member Jeff Hall siding with the city's decision to fire the officer.

Tuesday's order marks the second time in the last five years the commission overturned the city's decision to fire an officer. The previous overturned appeal involved officer Mersed Dautovic, 31. But Dautovic never returned to work before a federal jury in 2012 convicted him of a more sever sentence for excessive force.

Neither Hall nor Grimes responded to a request for comment. Grimes' attorney Mark Hedberg also declined to comment.

Grimes is expected to undergo some basic training before picking up patrol shifts, according to Sgt. Jason Halifax, Des Moines police spokesman.

"He will be required to complete some refresher training as is typical for officers who are gone for an extended time," Halifax said. The reintegration process will likely take one to two weeks.

The commission said Grimes' firing was based on "misconduct and prior discipline for excessive force."

The officer previously served a two-day suspension related to an excessive force complaint in 2011.

John Twombly of Des Moines accused Grimes of punching him multiple times while he was restrained on the ground at his own wedding reception. The incident left Twombly with broken bones in his face.

The complaint escalated to federal court and a $75,000 civil judgment was issued against Grimes and the city in 2014.

In 2010, Grimes also took two weeks paid administrative leave after firing a gunshot at a KCCI-TV photojournalist outside the television station's studio. The journalist, who Grimes mistook for a suspect, was not hit.

Unless the civil service order is appealed in district court, which is not likely, Grimes should be eligible to return to work this week, according to city officials. He will receive a salary of $73,195.

"We have indicated that we will accept the majority decision (of the commission)," Deputy City Attorney Carol Moser said.