Arbitrator Reinstates Fountain Hill Cop Fired For Brutality, Lies

A Fountain Hill police officer fired for roughing up a suspect and then lying about it, has been ordered back on the force. On February 4, Borough Council unanimously terminated Officer Grady Cunningham, Jr., over the police brutality, which Cunningham attempted to cover up. Police Chief Ed Bachert supported the termination as necessary for community trust in his officers.  But Cunningham recently prevailed in a union grievance over the matter.

Though successful with an arbitrator, Cunningham has yet to be seen on patrol, fueling speculation that the matter might be appealed. Council members Larry Rapp and Helen Halleman declined comment.

A police video of the incident, published recently on YouTube, shows Officer Grady approach a handcuffed and shoeless Richard McLaughlin from behind, place him in a choke hold, spin him around and then throw him head first to a hard floor. He also appears to be taunting McLaughlin, though there is no audio.

At the time, McLaughlin was being processed for public drunkenness, harassment and disorderly conduct. He later entered a guilty plea to those charges and spent a few days in jail.

In April, McLaughlin sued both Cunningham and Fountain Hill over the incident, alleging that the police brutality is a violation of his civil rights. He is represented by South Whitehall Township Attorney Richard Orloski.

Cunningham has been employed as a full-time officer on Fountain Hill's shrinking force since March 2010. At their August 5 meeting, Borough Council terminated another officer who has been charged with drunk driving.