ORLANDO, Fla. — William Escobar will rejoin the Orlando Police Department after he won an arbitration hearing Monday regarding his termination nearly two years ago, his attorneys announced.
Escobar was fired by the department after he was caught on video punching and kicking a handcuffed Refus Holloway in March 2014. Escobar was also accused of lying about the events of that night.
A jury found Escobar not guilty in November 2015 of battery and perjury charges. However, a federal jury found Escobar guilty in September of excessive force, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress in the civil case that Holloway filed against him. The jurors awarded $15,500 in damages to Holloway.
William Escobar found guilty of excessive force
Escobar has been fighting since 2014 to get his job back from the department.
“My strong faith sustained me during this long and difficult ordeal. I can’t overstate the support given to me by my family and the guidance and expertise of my legal team,” Escobar said, adding that he is overjoyed about returning to the law enforcement career he loves.
An arbitrator ruled the city of Orlando did not have just cause to fire Escobar. The city ordered that he be reinstated as an officer with full seniority, given full back pay and all benefits and have any disciplinary documents removed from his personnel file. The arbitrator also ordered the city to pay all of Escobar’s expenses during arbitration.
It's unclear when Escobar could rejoin the department. He must do all the required training to keep his law enforcement certificate, the police department said. It's also not clear what position he'll get once he's back on the force. It depends on what's open at the time, the police department said.
Holloway is no longer in town, but his attorney told Channel 9's Jeff Deal that he is dejected and disappointed.
Related stories: City of Orlando fighting civil rights lawsuit with former police officer
WATCH the video of William Escobar kicking Refus Holloway
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