richard hoffman

Richard M. Hoffman, fired in March from the Bethlehem Police Department, should get his job back, according to a ruling by a union arbitrator.

(File Photo)

UPDATE: Bethlehem had cause to suspend, but not fire police officer, arbitrator rules

A union arbitrator ruled that Richard Hoffman, a 10-year veteran of the Bethlehem police force, should be returned to the city police department, according to the attorney for the Bethlehem police union.

Quint Taglioli, who represents the Fraternal Order of the Police Lodge 20, said Hoffman's employment can be reinstated once he meets certain conditions required by the department, thanks to last week's ruling. The city has 30 days from the decision to file an appeal opposing the ruling.

Hoffman was charged with drunken driving after he struck a parked vehicle and damaged two others in an Aug. 8, 2014, crash in the city. Authorities say Hoffman was not on duty when he crashed at East Broad and High streets about 3:05 a.m. His blood-alcohol content was 0.16 -- twice the legal limit to drive, according to authorities.

Hoffman entered the county's accelerated rehabilitative disposition program as a nonviolent, first-time offender. After successful completion of the program, Hoffman's DUI record was erased.

But the police administration pushed for his termination. In a memo, the department detailed other incidents they said displayed a pattern of misbehavior unbecoming to the role of police officer.

The allegations in the memo included Hoffman drunkenly shoving and threatening an on-duty Philadelphia police officer, drunkenly threatening the owner of Molly's Irish Grille and Sports Pub, and sending inappropriate messages to a city dispatcher. After the memo surfaced, Taglioli said the allegations were unfounded and would be disputed at a termination hearing.

Hoffman was also part of the December 2010 botched search of Christian Neith, who smuggled a handgun into the Northampton County Prison. The other officer involved in the search, Michael Wuchter, was fired and Hoffman was suspended for 10 days. Wutcher was a probationary employee at the time.

City council voted unanimously March 18 to fire Hoffman, who declined to take part in the three-and-a-half-hour hearing.

Bethlehem Assistant Solicitor Matthew Kloiber declined to comment about the ruling, noting that it was a personnel matter.

Reporter Lynn Olanoff contributed to this report.

Sarah M. Wojcik may be reached at swojcik@express-times.com. Follow her on Twitter @Sarah_M_Wojcik. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.