CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield native dismissed from the Lawrence Township Police in 2005 may wind up back on the force.
According to Lawrence Township Solicitor James Naddeo, an arbitrator ruled on Feb. 16 that the township must reinstate Houser to full-time status. Naddeo said that Houser was not awarded back-pay for his time away from the force.
Houser has been removed from the force twice now, according to Naddeo. Officials noted that both times were due to “detrimental conduct, including allegedly breaking into a former police chief’s office. Another issue that may have had something to do with Houser’s second dismissal was an assault he was accused of engaging in. A jury found Houser not guilty of the assault. He was found guilty of summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct. On another count of disorderly conduct he was found not guilty.
Houser is in the process of appealing the two summary decisions in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Naddeo said that Houser’s reinstatement was contingent upon Houser signing a condition to the award that would bind him to all terms and conditions of the award. Houser has until Feb. 26, the date the reinstatement is effective, to sign the letter.
The Lawrence Township Supervisors passed a resolution to appeal the arbitrator’s decision.
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