Ex-Girard police chief appeals his demotion

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The commission will likely have a hearing in 45 days.

GIRARD — Former city Police Chief Frank Bigowsky has filed an official appeal to the decision to demote him from chief to patrolman.

The appeal came late Friday afternoon from Atty. Dennis Haines, who represents Bigowsky, addressed to the city civil service commission.

“Frank Bigowsky hereby appeals the order of reduction/suspension served on him on June 24, 2008,” according to the one-page letter. “Pursuant to the order of reduction/suspension, Frank Bigowsky was demoted from his position as chief of police for the city of Girard to the rank of patrolman. Frank Bigowsky seeks a full reversal of the order appealed and reinstatement to his position of chief of police with full back pay and benefits.

“Frank Bigowsky hereby requests a full hearing, including the opportunity to present witnesses, testimony and other evidence, before this commission.”

The charges leading to Bigowsky’s demotion are teaching private classes while on city time, engaging in conduct that undermines the civil service hiring process, disregarding a valid direct order, challenging a validly issued directive, making false accusations against the mayor, failing to properly monitor overtime expenditures in the police department, and making derogatory statements concerning the appointing authority.

Bigowsky has said he would appeal the decision to demote him to patrolman since the decision was made earlier this week after a hearing with Safety-Service Director Jerry Lambert. He said the entire investigation was the administration’s response to a letter of complaint against the mayor he filed with the civil service commission.

The civil service commission will likely have a hearing on the matter in 45 days.

Bigowsky was scheduled to return to work as a patrolman Thursday morning, but, upon the advice of his doctor, will be off work for an additional 30 days. Haines said his client is suffering from a foot injury that will not allow him to perform the necessary duties of a patrolman.