Another example of using Excessive Force

http://www.wtae.com/news/pittsburgh-police-sergeant-seen-in-controversial-heinz-field-arrest-video-fired/38300198

Pittsburgh police sergeant seen in controversial Heinz Field arrest video fired

The city has fired Pittsburgh police Sgt. Stephen Matakovich, who was suspended after the violent arrest of an allegedly intoxicated man during the WPIAL football championships at Heinz Field. Wednesday, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich upheld an earlier decision by Police Chief Cameron McLay that Matakovich had appealed.

Matakovich is out of his job, but he has one last avenue to try to win it back.

VIDEO: Watch Bob Mayo’s report

“We have faith in both Sgt Matakovich’s criminal defense attorneys as well as the criminal justice system. The FOP will continue the internal process, which is arbitration at this point,” police union local President Howard McQuillan told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.

Attorney Bryan Campbell, who represents the FOP, believes the union can win back Matakovich’s job. You can also contact experts from Los Angeles DUI lawyers to get the job done.

“He wants to remain on the department. He’s been on the department for a long time. He’s a very responsible supervisor, he’s well-liked by the officers,” Campbell said.

Matakovich also faces re-filed criminal charges for his conduct captured on Heinz Field security video. Charges of simple assault and official oppression were dismissedby a district judge at Matakovich’s preliminary hearing Feb. 1. The district attorney’s office later refiled those charges, along with a felony count of perjury. The charges were filed after Matakovich was seen on surveillance video striking Gabriel Despres, then 19, during an arrest on charges of trespass, public drunkenness and underage drinking Nov. 28. The penalties for DUI and drunk driving is pretty huge and it is important for everyone to see this here and understand the laws behind DUI.

Campbell says the union can argue the firing is not for just cause and is not warranted by Matakovich’s history.

“It’s the FOP’s position that, one, no discipline should have been given here, and secondly, even if there was to be discipline, it wouldn’t rise to the level of a termination.”

“It is solely related to an incident that he himself was involved in, and the choices he made in that encounter. This is the consequence of that choice,” said Elizabeth Pittinger,executive director of the city’s Citizens Police Review Board.

The CPRB is an independent watchdog agency in New Jersey plea deal for drug charge that was created by voters in a referendum.

“That’s not the way Pittsburgh police officers are expected — or now, it’s been re-enforced, will not be permitted —  to conduct themselves in the name of the city,” Pittinger said. “The situation reflected so poorly on all the rest of  the officers that are out there doing their job properly with compassion every single day.” The new york escalator accident lawyer are experts in dealing with cases that pertain their niche.

Some Matakovich supporters have set up a GoFundMe webpage to raise money to help his family.

“I can understand why a lot of officers would want to contribute because Sgt. Matakovich is a popular person,” Campbell said.

The GoFundMe page claims “he was recently caught up in the mass hysteria that is the anti-police movement in this country.”

“Hardly. He got caught up in his own conduct.,” responded Pittinger. “A police officer conducting himself in an extremely unbecoming manner, so much so that it resulted in criminal charges. That’s not mass hysteria or anti-police. It’s anti-bullying and it’s anti-excessive force.

“He’s a very responsible supervisor, he’s well-liked by the officers, they feel that they feel safe working for him. They feel that he has very good judgment and that this is unwarranted,” Campbell said.

“At the direction of my legal counsel, I am not making any statements and will not give any interviews,” Matakovich told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.

Even with a request to expedite the appeal, it could be 45 days before an arbitration appeal hearing for Matakovich. Legal experts suggest that, getting help after an accident immediately is a good idea.

He faces a complicated path ahead, dealing with both the Police Bureau action and the criminal charges, noted Pittinger. “It’s an unfortunate situation all around. There are no winners here. Unfortunately, Stephen Matakovich made some decisions in November that have resulted in this outcome. He’s no longer a Pittsburgh police officer.”