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Part of the agreement says Bigowsky won’t take a promotional exam to become chief.
Part of the agreement says Bigowsky won’t take a promotional exam to become chief.
GIRARD — Terms of the agreement between former police Chief Frank Bigowsky and the city have been released and puts to an end the lengthy hearings before the city’s civil service commission.
Bigowsky was demoted from chief to patrolman after charges he taught private classes while on city time, engaged in conduct that undermines the civil service hiring process and disregarded a valid direct order to meet daily with Mayor James Melfi.
Melfi said Wednesday, “The administration is very pleased with the decision.”
Bigowsky was unavailable to comment.
Bigowsky contested the decision, leading to a hearing last month.
An Aug. 28 letter to the Girard Civil Service Commission from Atty. Dennis Haines, Bigowsky’s lawyer, said an “amicable resolution” was reached with the city.
Melfi said the official statement concerning that resolution to be released to the public came via fax to city hall late Tuesday afternoon.
The terms of the resolution are:
U Withdrawal of charges and release: The city agrees to rescind the charges lodged against Bigowsky. All documents related to the charges are to be placed in a file separate from his personnel file.
UWithdrawal of appeal: Bigowsky agrees to withdraw his appeal that is pending before the civil service commission.
UStatus pending: Bigowsky agrees to accept a temporary, voluntary reduction to the rank of a patrol officer. The length of the reduction will be limited to how long it takes to fill the chief’s position permanently or Jan. 1, 2009, whichever comes first. During the time he is a patrolman, Bigowsky will be considered an acting captain awaiting formal promotion and receive captain’s pay.
UPromotion to captain: Upon the permanent appointment of a new chief or Jan. 1, 2009, Bigowsky will be appointed to the position of captain and not be required to take a competitive promotional exam.
UPromotional exam for chief of police: Bigowsky and the city agree that he will not take any future exam for the position of chief of police in the police department.
Safety Services Director Jerry Lambert confirmed Bigowsky has been reporting for duty full time as a patrolman since the resolution was reached.
He had said the former chief’s rate of pay could not be disclosed until the agreement had been made public.
jgoodwin@vindy.com