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2 Orlando officers accused of misconduct back on the job

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando’s police chief had to give two officers their jobs back in spite of allegations of misconduct.

The move came just before the officers were expected to appeal their termination.

But instead, the city took a deal to allow them back on the force.

Chief John Mina said that it was clear from the beginning of the fight that the arbitrator was going to side with the officers.

Mina said doing this gave him more control of the officers' duties when they came back, and saved the taxpayers a lot of money.

It was a year and a half ago when two Orlando police officers were in a chase that ended not only out of their jurisdiction, but with a lot of questions.

Fred Rolle and Michael Favorite were fired for violating a pursuit policy and standards of conduct.

Internal affairs documents show the officers had six minutes to tell dispatchers they were pursuing a Jeep outside their jurisdiction, and into Orange County, but didn't, and then when the chase ended, they moved the car back into the city limits.

In March, the officers went to arbitration where Mina stood by his earlier decision to fire the officers.

On Wednesday, as the officers were expected to tell their side of the story to the arbitrator, the department asked if a deal offered by the union shortly after the firing was still on the table.

Taking the deal meant the officers would be reinstated effective immediately.

“This was a way for us to inflict a severe penalty,” Mina said. “No back pay for an entire year, and still a suspension of 248 hours with the ability to assign these officers wherever I want, to send a message that this behavior won't be tolerated.”

Mina would not say where the officers will be assigned or if they will be back on patrol.

The officers will be back at work in June.

Mina said because they were not charged with untruthfulness in the internal report, the hit on their record will not affect future cases.

Shannon Butler

Shannon Butler, WFTV.com

Shannon joined the Eyewitness News team in 2013.