Former Butler police sergeant undecided about returning to force

January 31, 2018 Last Updated: January 31, 2018 06:00 PM Digital Media Exclusive

William Mayhugh, a Butler police sergeant who was fired by the city last year, has the right to return to the department — although he is still undecided.

Mayhugh, in an interview Wednesday with the Butler Eagle, said he is talking with Mayor Ben Smith and other officials to decide if and when he will return to the department.

Mayhugh has been working full time as a Butler County sheriff's deputy since September.

Butler City Council voted to fire Mayhugh Feb. 23, following an incident in which he allegedly used excessive force with a prisoner in Butler County Prison.

Mayhugh filed a grievance through the police union, arguing that he acted within the scope of his authority.

Arbitrator William J. Miller heard both sides of the case during a hearing Oct. 9 and issued a decision Tuesday stating that the city did not have just cause to terminate Mayhugh.

In a statement, Mayhugh wrote that he chose not to comment publicly about the incident and let the grievance process run its course.

“The lengthy process I went through to prove my position was vindicated by the decision of the neutral arbitrator,” he said in the statement.

The arbitrator ruled that Mayhugh is entitled to return to his position as sergeant and will be “made whole” for pay that he missed during his 11 months away from the department.

Video footage from the prison, obtained by the Butler Eagle last year, shows the incident in question:

A full report will appear in Thursday's Butler Eagle.