The Cincinnati Enquirer
ST. BERNARD -- Dan Luken has finally received the news for which he had hoped. The seven-year veteran of the St. Bernard Police Department was reinstated Monday after arbitrator Harry Graham ruled he had been wrongly fired last September in a dispute over where he maintains his primary residence.
It was news Officer Luken had not expected. He called his attorney, Kay Cremeans of the Fraternal Order of Police office in Columbus, merely to find out the status of his case.
"I thought, "Oh, man, what a relief.' It was over," Officer Luken said Tuesday. "I was getting a little nervous. I'll be getting back pay and be returned to full status."
Service Director Ray Schrand said Tuesday the administration simply did what the people requested.
"The arbitrator did not agree with our case," he said. "We will abide by what the arbitrator's decision is."
Mr. Schrand said he did not know when Officer Luken would return to work.
Officer Luken and Officer Doug Roll were fired last September because city officials said they violated an ordinance requiring officers to maintain a primary residence within the city. Officer Roll prevailed in arbitration and was reinstated three weeks ago. Officer Luken's family lives in Crosby Township, and Officer Roll's family lives in Villa Hills -- but both officers said they maintained their primary residences in St. Bernard.
"We've never been told what primary residence is," Officer Luken said.
Since his dismissal, Officer Luken has been pouring concrete for Frank Builders Inc., a Green Township company of which he is a partner. But he said he can't wait to trade in jeans and a T-shirt for St. Bernard's badge and uniform.
"I enjoy being a police officer," he said. "It's fun."
