Cop Fired For Steroids Wins Badge Back
POSTED: 7:10 pm MST March 11, 2010
UPDATED: 5:23 am MST March 12, 2010
PHOENIX -- A Phoenix police officer fired after testing positive for steroids during a random drug screening will get his badge back.Carl Ramirez appealed his termination to the Civil Service Board. In a unanimous vote, the board voted to reinstate him as a police officer, and lessen his discipline from termination to 240 hours suspension with no back pay."I'm just happy that it's all over with and I'm back to work. That was my main focus, my main goal," said Ramirez.An attorney representing Ramirez in his appeal argued that her client tested just above the allowable threshold for officers because he had been taking bodybuilding supplements that he had no idea metabolized into steroids when processed in the body.An attorney for the city claimed the termination should be upheld because the officer tested positive for steroids and it was no accident. The city's attorney argued that the only acceptable explanation for a positive test is if an officer has a prescription, and Ramirez did not.A spokesman for the Phoenix police department said the department stands by its investigation and believes the discipline was justified; however, the department respects the civil service process and will honor its decision.
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