City rejects arbitrator’s decision to reinstate Lt. Mark Bruning

Update – Dec. 3, 2014 — Bruning attorney: “It’s totally unprecedented and makes no sense”

Despite a recent ruling from an arbitrator, the Guthrie city council voted unanimously not to reinstate Lt. Mark Bruning back onto the police force at Tuesday evening’s council meeting.

Following an executive session, councilman John Wood made the motion, “I move that we do not reinstate Mark Bruning.” Councilman Jeff Taylor second the motion.

Bruning was accused of abusing his power when he had his wife’s ex-husband arrested at the Sept. 2013 Mumford & Sons concert.

On Nov. 18, arbitrator Mark Reed found fault in both parties. Reed said Bruning exercised poor judgment and abuse of power, and the City Manager (Sereniah Breland) and Human Resources Director (Jim Ahlgren) were influenced by allegations without any verification.

“The City is instructed to place him (Bruning) on a suspension without pay status effective Oct, 22, 2013, for a period of six months and upon the expiration of the six months period, reinstate him to his former position as Lieutenant,” Reed said in the decision.

However, with the council’s vote, the city has rejected the arbitrator’s decision.

Now, it will be the decision of Bruning’s team to decide if they will appeal the City’s decision in district court. Bruning’s attorney, Scott Adams, is expected to make a statement on Wednesday.

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