“I was told that DPS is putting him back to his prior position” said CSC legal counsel John Cool in an interview with the Variety yesterday.
Cool was referring to the appeal filed with CSC by PO2 Alfred Celes.
“We were informed the matter was settled,” said Cool.
He said there were no documents signed during the status conference on Friday.
When requested for additional details, Cool said the status conference was informal but Celes’ concerns were settled.
DPS Commissioner Santiago Tudela agreed that Celes was demoted without due process.
He said that Celes will be reinstated as sergeant.
Celes’ legal counsel Mark Hanson earlier said his client was demoted and his salary was decreased without due process.
Hanson said Celes went through the department’s grievance procedure, but received no response.
During the earlier status conference, CSC indicated that there should be a cause for the demotion and a 30-day notice.
Celes’s demotion papers were served on his birthday, June 7.
He was promoted to sergeant on Dec. 23, 2007.
