PITTSBURGH \u2014 11 Investigates has learned that the city of Pittsburgh is planning to fire an officer who pleaded guilty to his second DUI last month.<\/p>\n
According to multiple sources, Sgt. Tariq Francis, who has been on paid administrative leave, was given a five-day suspension pending termination after a disciplinary hearing this week.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the first time an officer has been fired using the new system of discipline written into the latest union contract.<\/p>\n
The decision to recommend firing Francis comes after PennDOT suspended his driving privileges after he pleaded guilty to DUI.<\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates Exclusive: Pittsburgh Police Officer pleads guilty to another DUI, remains suspended<\/a><\/p>\n Sources tell 11 Investigates his license has been suspended for one year.<\/p>\n Francis pleaded guilty to DUI last month and was placed on probation for six months, but 11 Investigates has learned PennDOT has now suspended his driver\u2019s license for a year.<\/p>\n Under the police disciplinary policy approved by officers during contract negotiations in 2023, the city can terminate an officer who loses his driver\u2019s license for more than six months.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a new policy. I think the policy is somewhat flawed,\u201d said defense attorney Phil DiLucente.<\/p>\n DiLucente and defense attorney Nicole Nino represent Francis in the DUI case.<\/p>\n Both declined further comment on his employment status, only saying it would be up to the union to appeal his termination.<\/p>\n But both spoke out in support of Francis. <\/p>\n They say he made a mistake, but he checked himself into rehab, turned his life around, and deserves another chance.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are all human, and we are all flawed. He had this issue. He immediately got on the phone with us and went directly to a rehabilitation facility and did 90 days, and continues to work a program today and is clean and sober,\u201d said Nino.<\/p>\n Five years ago, Francis pleaded guilty to his first DUI, a hit-and-run accident.<\/a> <\/p>\n He entered a special program for first-time offenders, and the charges were eventually wiped from his record.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh police officer on administrative leave after car accident in Plum<\/a><\/p>\n But then last November, Francis was charged with another DUI after he was found asleep in his car in Plum.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh police officers facing second DUI on unpaid leave after 11 Investigates report<\/a><\/p>\n Even though both DUIs happened before the law changed, and his second offense is still treated as a first DUI in criminal court, PennDOT still considers it a second DUI and suspended his license, ultimately leading to his termination.<\/p>\n The head of the Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board told 11 Investigates earlier this year that Francis and fellow Pittsburgh Police Officer Robert Palivoda, who\u2019s now facing a third DUI, should both be finished. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Suspended Pittsburgh police officer charged with 3rd DUI after crash into jersey barrier<\/a><\/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 But attorney DiLucente disagrees. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s done all the things that somebody who might have an issue here or there, rehabilitation. He\u2019s coming out fighting strong. He\u2019s the type of officer we want in the city, somebody who\u2019s going to protect and serve. Look, Rick, we\u2019ve all made mistakes in life, and this man needs his day to get back in the uniform and serve this commonwealth,\u201d said DiLucente. <\/p>\n Sources tell 11 Investigates it\u2019s unlikely that the Police Union will appeal the firing of Francis, although it is a possibility. <\/p>\n As for Palivoda, he remains on unpaid leave pending the outcome of two of his three DUI 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