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’ 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’s pleaded guilty to another DUI, it’s unclear if he’ll 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’s treated as a first DUI after an ARD, the city hasn’t decided on his future.<\/p>\n A public safety spokesperson told 11 Investigates in a statement, “Now that the court case has concluded, the Bureau will handle next steps internally. Until then, he remains on unpaid leave.”<\/p>\n Francis isn’t 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’s 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’s scheduled to appear in court next month.<\/p>\n As for Francis, the president of the police union says he’s optimistic he’ll 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