A disciplinary hearing for Ansonia Police Officer Mustafa Salahuddin has been postponed until Oct. 20 at 5 p.m.
The hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday in front of the Ansonia Police Commission, is to determine if Salahuddin should be fired for not returning to work after he was found not guilty of stealing a garden hose at a criminal trial in March.
The reschedule will give Salahuddin’s attorney, Rob Serafinowicz, more time to research “policies and procedures related to the job,” Serafinowicz said.
Serafinowicz said he is in talks with a city lawyer and hopes to reach an agreement before the disciplinary hearing on Oct. 20.
“I’m going to argue that he shouldn’t be fired for being out for a medical reason,” Serafinowicz said Thursday afternoon. “That would be what I would argue if we can’t come to an agreement.”
Serafinowicz didn’t say exactly what kind of agreement that would be.
Salahuddin has been on leave since the trial, citing post traumatic stress disorder.
The accusations that Salahuddin stole a garden hose from the department in 2008 and having to endure the public trial led to the diagnosis, according to Serafinowicz.
Salahuddin is not being paid by the city during this leave, Serafinowicz said.
During the hearing, the city planned to inquire about Salahuddin’s job at the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority, according to a letter sent to Serafinowicz by the city.
City attorney Fran Teodosio said he couldn’t say much about the pending hearing or whether they were trying to reach an agreement.
“We agreed to continue the case until the 20th,” Teodosio said. “The officer has certain options.”
