Arbitration decision delayed for former Swampscott cop

SWAMPSCOTT-A former police lieutenant will have to wait a little longer than expected to get a decision on whether he will be reinstated.A decision in the arbitration process between a former police Lt. Peter Cassidy Jr. and the town has dragged on for almost three years and a decision was expected by Dec. 19, but last week the arbitrator requested more time. The arbitrator is expected to issue his decision on Dec. 24.The arbitration process started immediately after the Selectmen terminated former Lt. Peter Cassidy Jr. for conduct unbecoming and criminal on April 6, 2006.The final briefs were supposed to be turned in to the arbitrator by Oct. 3 but the arbitrator granted an extension so the final briefs weren’t submitted to until Nov. 12.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said arbitration is always a lengthy process.Cassidy, who was hoping for a decision by the end of November, said he understands the delays but he is anxious to get a decision.?I want to put this behind me,” he said. “I am cautiously optimistic that he (the arbitrator) will rule in my favor.”Cassidy served with the department for 29 years and received numerous commendations during his tenure. One of the incidents mentioned at the time of his termination was an off-duty drunken driving arrest in Vermont on Jan. 13, 2006. Cassidy was convicted on those charges. He said after he had gastric bypass surgery he replaced his compulsive eating with alcohol but his metabolism had changed, which resulted in alcohol addiction. Cassidy said his arrest served as wake up call and he has been clean and sober since that time.According to several former town employees and officials, Cassidy is not the first officer in the department who ran into difficulties with alcohol, but he is the only officer ever terminated by Selectmen for alcohol related problems, even though other officers were involved in incidents while on duty.Police Chief Ronald Madigan declined to comment. He said it is departmental procedure not to comment on personnel matters, arbitration or pending litigation.