Fired police officer likely will not know fate of his job until 2014

A former Columbia police officer fired for using excessive force will likely not know the fate of his job until early next year.

Last week, Rob Sanders asked to return to the force before a personnel advisory board. He was fired two years ago for shoving an inmate in a holding cell, but a court later found him not guilty of assault for the incident.

The board has until Dec. 2 to give its recommendation to City Manager Mike Matthes. On Friday, Matthes told ABC 17 News that he expects the board will take the full 10 days to make its recommendation.

Matthes then has another 30 days to make the final decision and he will likely make full use of that time.

“I probably will. I am going to review everything I’ve been given at that point,” said Matthes. “I’ll read everything. I will consider every single point, and then make my decision.”

During the trial, Chief Ken Burton said it was more than just the shoving incident that led to Sanders’ firing.