The Guthrie city council appealed an arbitrator’s decision and now they will appeal a district court’s decision in the case of Mark Bruning, who was terminated from the Guthrie Police Department in Sept. 2013. The next appeal will be to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Following an executive session meeting on Tuesday, the Guthrie city council unanimously voted to appeal the district’s court ruling that the arbitrator did not go outside his scope or the collective bargaining agreement in making his decision.
“Mr. Mayor, I authorize the City to appeal the decision in the Bruning case and for the City Manager to continue negotiations,” Councilman John Wood said.
Councilman Jeff Taylor second the motion and all attended council members voted yes. Councilman Ed Wood was not present.
City officials would not comment any further on the appeal decision.
Bruning was accused of abusing his power when he had his wife’s ex-husband arrested at the Sept. 2013 Mumford & Sons concert. Related story: Guthrie police officer terminated on Monday
In Nov. 2014, arbitrator Mark Reed found fault in both parties and ruled the City of Guthrie wrongfully terminated Bruning and that he be suspended for six months without pay. In addition, the City was to reinstate Bruning back to the department in the same position (lieutenant) when he was terminated along with back pay. Related story: Arbitrator finds fault in firing of police officer; Bruning cleared to go back to work
“For whatever reason the political people want to play games. We will play games as long as they want to play it because at the end of the day they’re (City of Guthrie) just going to write a big check,” Bruning’s atttorney Scott Adams said outside the courtroom following the judge’s ruling on Dec. 16. Related story: Judge upholds arbitrator’s ruling on police officer Mark Bruning
“We had to go through arbitration, we won there. We now have had to go through district court and we won here. I’m assuming that the City wants to continue to throw money at this thing. The sad part is the only one who is going end up paying all of this is all the tax payers in Logan County,” Adams said.
“We are going to be victorious in the end. We are victorious every time we show up. They can’t stop us. They’re not going to stop Lt. Bruning from getting back on the streets and protecting this community.”
Related story: Fired police officer wants his job back; case going to arbitration
Related story: No decision made on the future of a Guthrie police officer
Boy, what happened to all those people of Guthrie calling for the city to fire this police officer? You all wanted to hang him, and now not only has the arbitrator found the city didn’t have reason to fire him, proving all of you that wanted him hung wrong, but now a district judge says the same thing, again, proving you all wrong. Now the city wants to appeal to the Supreme Court, who, unless they find something the arbitrator, and the district judge didn’t find, will more than likely find in favor of the officer. Meanwhile, this officer has somewhat enjoyed an over two year vacation at the cost of the city, plus having to pay him back, but, also all court, city attorney AND the officers attorney fees. By the time the Supreme Court finds for the officer, the cuff will likely be close to 200K! Wow, nice city board you have there, spending taxpayers money at will!!! Plus the officer gets his job back, along with his position, seniority, time accrued and retirement benefits. And you wonder why your city is the way it is. SMH!!!! I hope
i wish I could afford a atty