Former Columbia police officer seeks $553,000 for lost time

An officer fired from the Columbia Police Department after shoving and injuring someone in a holding cell in 2011 is seeking over $553,000, according to a proposed judgment filed this week.

Rob Sanders sued the city to try to get his job back. A bench trial was held in May, but a final decision has not been made.

Police chief Ken Burton fired Sanders in 2011 for pushing Kenneth Baker in a CPD holding cell, despite an Internal Affairs investigation clearing him of wrongdoing. Sanders told Baker to stop pounding on the cell door several times, and pushed him to the ground in order to restrain him. Baker’s head hit the back wall, injuring him. City Manager Mike Matthes ultimately upheld the firing

The proposed judgment, filed by Sanders and his attorneys, recommended the judge rule in favor of Sanders and that the court find Sanders entitled to the following:

A permanent injunction barring the City of Columbia from enforcing Sanders termination from the police department Declaration that Sanders’ termination was unlawful, arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and an abuse of discretion Declaration that section 19-225 of the Columbia city code is unconstitutionally vague as applied in the circumstances of this case Order compelling the city to reinstate Sanders to his previous position of employment, pay Sanders $553,814.16 in back pay and interest and to adjust Sanders’ retirement pension vestment in accordance with years of service through this date

Burton said at the May trial that it would not be in the city’s best interest to rehire Sanders. He said the “guidelines for corrective action,” the city code Sanders said was unconstitutional, led to Sanders’ firing.