PITTSBURGH — 11 Investigates has learned that the city of Pittsburgh is planning to fire an officer who pleaded guilty to his second DUI last month.
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.
It’s the first time an officer has been fired using the new system of discipline written into the latest union contract.
The decision to recommend firing Francis comes after PennDOT suspended his driving privileges after he pleaded guilty to DUI.
Sources tell 11 Investigates his license has been suspended for one year.
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’s license for a year.
Under the police disciplinary policy approved by officers during contract negotiations in 2023, the city can terminate an officer who loses his driver’s license for more than six months.
“This is a new policy. I think the policy is somewhat flawed,” said defense attorney Phil DiLucente.
DiLucente and defense attorney Nicole Nino represent Francis in the DUI case.
Both declined further comment on his employment status, only saying it would be up to the union to appeal his termination.
But both spoke out in support of Francis.
They say he made a mistake, but he checked himself into rehab, turned his life around, and deserves another chance.
“We 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,” said Nino.
Five years ago, Francis pleaded guilty to his first DUI, a hit-and-run accident.
He entered a special program for first-time offenders, and the charges were eventually wiped from his record.
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But then last November, Francis was charged with another DUI after he was found asleep in his car in Plum.
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.
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’s now facing a third DUI, should both be finished.
Earle: Do they get another chance?
Pittinger: They certainly should not get a third chance. That’s to the public accountability, but to their employer, to the city of Pittsburgh, they certainly should not have a third chance.
But attorney DiLucente disagrees.
“He’s done all the things that somebody who might have an issue here or there, rehabilitation. He’s coming out fighting strong. He’s the type of officer we want in the city, somebody who’s going to protect and serve. Look, Rick, we’ve all made mistakes in life, and this man needs his day to get back in the uniform and serve this commonwealth,” said DiLucente.
Sources tell 11 Investigates it’s unlikely that the Police Union will appeal the firing of Francis, although it is a possibility.
As for Palivoda, he remains on unpaid leave pending the outcome of two of his three DUI cases.
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