PEORIA, Ill. — An arbitrator has ruled that a Peoria police officer fired for inappropriate social media posts should get his job back.
One of those posts included a picture of an officer wearing a shirt that said, “Baby Daddy Removal Team.”
Officer Jeremy Layman was fired almost two years ago.
Layman appealed the decision through the police union.
Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich said the city is disappointed the arbitrator failed to see Layman’s conduct as “racially insensitive.”
“The conduct and this decision are contrary to the beliefs that the city attempts to foster among its employees and the community we serve,” Urich said.
Layman claimed his posts were protected by the First Amendment and didn’t violate PPD policy because he made them while off-duty.
In August 2018, Layman filed suit against the City of Peoria, claiming wrongful termination.
“The city is analyzing the decision and evaluating potential avenues of appeal,” Urich said.
Layman remains on administrative leave.
