By Joanna Putman
Police1
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A Palm Beach Gardens police officer, previously fired after holding a 911 caller at gunpoint, has been reinstated, the Palm Beach post reported.
The officer, who was terminated in 2023 after a viral video of her encounter with an unarmed man led to widespread criticism, has won her job back following an arbitration ruling, according to the report. The incident that led to her dismissal occurred in May 2023 when the officer responded to a 911 call in the parking lot of an apartment complex.
The caller reported being threatened by a neighbor with a gun, according to the report. Upon arrival, the officer, unsure if the caller was the reported gunman, drew her weapon and held him at gunpoint, making “derogatory remarks” toward him.
The officer was fired following the incident, with the department citing her actions as “an absolute abuse of authority.” However, during a recent arbitration hearing, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the officer, stating that negative media attention led to an overreaction from her supervisors. The officer’s attorney confirmed that she intends to resume her duties, according to the report.
Despite the ruling, the officer faces ongoing legal challenges. The caller has filed a federal lawsuit against her, alleging excessive use of force and unjustified arrest, with the trial scheduled to begin in September.
City officials strongly opposed her reinstatement, arguing that her emotional and ethical lapses made her unfit for law enforcement, according to the report. During the arbitration hearing, the city’s attorney described her as unstable and referenced past incidents of inappropriate behavior.
The officer was previously a member of the department’s hostage negotiation team and had received praise in employee reviews for her composure in stressful situations. The police department has declined to comment on her reinstatement or her potential return to the hostage negotiation team, according to the report.