ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando police officer recording punching and kicking a handcuffed man in 2014 should be allowed to return to work, an independent arbitrator ruled on Monday.
The arbitrator ruled that the city of Orlando did not have cause to fire William Escobar and order that he be reinstated as an officer. The ruling also said the city of Orlando must pay the expenses associated with the independent investigation.
Escobar was acquitted of battery and perjury charges during a trial last year.
“My strong faith sustained me during this long and difficult ordeal. I can’t overstate the support given to me by my family and the guidance and expertise of my legal team,” Escobar said in a news release from his attorney, Jill Schwartz.
The arbitrator's decision is final and binding to both parties, Escobar and the department, an Orlando police public information officer told News 6.
Escobar will first have to attend any mandated training required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to keep his certification. His assignment will be based on current vacancies at the department, the OPD public information officer said.
Escobar was one of Orlando officers responded to a fight in Parramore in March 2014, which led to the alleged police brutality incident.
The arrest was caught on cellphone video by the victim’s sister. In the video, Escobar punches Refus Holloway Jr. twice in the head and then started kicking him. Holloway was face down and in handcuffs.
Prosecutors said the video contradicted Escobar’s written report of the arrest, which said Holloway tried to kick Escobar.
Escobar was placed on desk duty after the incident and then fired from OPD after an Internal Affairs investigation. The States Attorney's Office filed charges against him in January 2015.
"The actions of Officer Escobar that night do not reflect the overall actions, performance and behavior of the Orlando Police Department or our commitment and dedication to keeping this community safe," Orlando police Chief John Mina after terminating Escobar.
A federal jury awarded $15,500 to Holloway in September 2016 for the beating. Jurors said Escobar used excessive force and caused injury to Holloway.