Fired detective gets reinstated after appeal

Brent Whiting The Arizona Republic Feb. 15, 2006 12:00 AM

BUCKEYE - Michael Haddad, a police detective fired Dec. 27 for sexual improprieties, was back on the job Tuesday after waging a successful appeal.

Haddad, a 14-year veteran, was accused by the police department of engaging in sex in a weight room at Buckeye High School with a consenting 18-year-old woman.

The reinstatement order was issued by Murel Stephens, a Buckeye constable who serves on the Town Personnel Board.

Stephens said Haddad should have been fired in 2001 by then-Police Chief Michael Carey but wasn't. Instead, he was given a verbal reprimand and told by Carey "to keep it quiet."

Five years have passed, so new town leadership "does not have the authority to undo what was addressed by those in power at the time," Stephens said.

Thus, it was impermissible "double jeopardy" when Haddad was fired late last year by Town Manager Carroll Reynolds at the urging of Police Chief Dan Saban, Carey's replacement, he said.

Haddad said that he is obviously pleased with the ruling.

During a Feb. 6 hearing, Saban testified he could work with Haddad if the detective were to be reinstated. Saban said Tuesday that he is happy that due process has been followed. For his part, Haddad previously has apologized for what he describes as poor judgment, according to town documents.