PITTSBURGH \u2014 Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Tariq Francis has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving under the influence after he was found asleep in his vehicle in Plum last November. <\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh Police sergeant previously convicted in hit-and-run crash facing new DUI charges<\/a><\/p>\n Francis, who was off duty at the time, was more than three times the legal limit, according to the criminal complaint. <\/p>\n In court, Francis was given six months\u2019 probation and ordered to complete a drug and alcohol evaluation, attend safe driving classes and pay a $300 fine. <\/p>\n In 2021, Francis, whose 17-year-old son was with him, was accused of a hit-and-run DUI. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh police officer on administrative leave after car accident in Plum<\/a><\/p>\n He was allowed to enter the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program, known as ARD, a program for first-time offenders. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh cop accused in DUI crash appears in court<\/a><\/p>\n His record was eventually cleared, and he returned to the force and was even promoted to Sgt. <\/p>\n Now that he\u2019s pleaded guilty to another DUI, it\u2019s unclear if he\u2019ll get his job back. <\/p>\n While his attorneys tell 11 Investigates they are optimistic, since the latest DUI happened in November just before the law was changed so it\u2019s treated as a first DUI after an ARD, the city hasn\u2019t decided on his future. <\/p>\n A public safety spokesperson told 11 Investigates in a statement, \u201cNow that the court case has concluded, the Bureau will handle next steps internally. Until then, he remains on unpaid leave.\u201d<\/p>\n Francis isn\u2019t the only Pittsburgh Police officer facing two DUIs.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 2 Pittsburgh officers on paid leave following second DUI arrests<\/a><\/p>\n Officer Robert Palivoda also remains on unpaid leave after being charged with his third DUI, two of them within five months, all while off duty. +<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Suspended Pittsburgh police officer charged with 3rd DUI after crash into jersey barrier<\/a><\/p>\n A judge ruled Palivoda was a community threat, denied bond and ordered him held in the county jail.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh police officers facing second DUI on unpaid leave after 11 Investigates report<\/a><\/p>\n 11 Investigates learned he was recently allowed to leave the jail and taken to rehab.<\/p>\n The executive director of the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review board, Beth Pittinger, told Earle earlier this year that the city should be done with both officers.<\/p>\n Earle: Do they get another chance? <\/p>\n Pittinger: They certainly should not get a third chance. That\u2019s to the public accountability, but to their employer, to the city of Pittsburgh, they certainly should not have a third chance.<\/p>\n Palivoda was also given ARD on his first DUI. <\/p>\n His latest two cases are still tied up in the court system. <\/p>\n He\u2019s scheduled to appear in court next month. <\/p>\n As for Francis, the president of the police union says he\u2019s optimistic he\u2019ll be reinstated.<\/p>\n 11 Investigates will continue tracking developments in both of these cases. <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n