A federal arbitrator is ordering the city of Peoria to rehire a police officer fired in 2018 for racially insensitive social media posts.
Officer Jeremy Layman was fired after posting a photo of himself wearing a "Baby Daddy Removal Team" t-shirt at a public event and posts blaming residents of Peoria's predominantly black South Side for crime. He also posted information from investigations into the theft of baby formula from the now-closed Kroger stores on Harmon Highway and Wisconsin Avenue.
After a review of his posts, Police Chief Loren Marion fired him for language that he said revealed confidential police investigation information and damaged the ability of the police department to work with the public.
The police union filed a grievance the next day, arguing Layman's posts were protected under the First Amendment. An accompanying federal lawsuit was dismissed, citing the ongoing arbitration process.
The arbitrator ruled last month the city had insufficient evidence to fire Layman, sustaining only a single count of inappropriate disclosure of investigation information. Layman's job was ordered restored with back pay.
The city says in a statement it is disappointed with the decision and is considering an appeal.
