PENDLETON — Marc Farrer will remain a member of the Pendleton Police Department — but not as its chief.
Pendleton town council unanimously approved a settlement agreement that allows Farrer, who has been on paid administrative leave because of disciplinary matters since Jan. 24, to continue to serve as a patrolman.
“We’re pleased this is behind us,” Council President Jessica Smith said shortly after the 5 p.m. Friday town council meeting during which the agreement was announced.
The council voted 3-2 to fire Farrer on Jan. 24 because of social media posts it said “reflect and promote bias” and “compromise (his) ability to carry out your duties to the public as a law enforcement officer and as the Pendleton town marshal in a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory way.”
It voted again 3-2 for an expanded notice of charges on Feb. 14.
Termination was subject to an appeals process, and there was supposed to be an appeals hearing at 2 p.m. today, during which Farrer could contest the charges.
That hearing was canceled as the council, Farrer and their attorneys instead worked for two and a half hours finalizing details of a settlement agreement.
The agreement allows Farrer, who had been chief for 13 years, to serve as a patrolman, with pay at the rank with his years of service. It will mean a pay cut from about $62,000 to about $46,000.
He will receive four weeks unpaid leave beginning today, for which he’ll be able to use accrued vacation or other leave time, will be on probation for a year, and “shall successfully complete sensitivity and diversity training.”
Farrer read an apology that was also part of the agreement:
“I want to publicly apologize to the citizens of Pendleton, the town council, and my fellow officers for my unprofessional Facebook posts. Although I never intended for these posts to be offensive, I take full responsibility for my actions. This will not happen again. I look forward to continuing to serve this great community as I return to the position of patrol officer.”
Farrer, who said the prospect of a settlement agreement began to materialized between attorneys on Tuesday, said he was not only thankful to be able to keep his job but for the many people in the community who supported him since January.
Smith, too, said she was happy with the settlement.
“Our community’s been divided, ” she said. “We’re pleased this is behind us.”
Jessica Bastin, one of the other two council members who had voted to terminate Farrer, said she was “glad he (Farrer) read his apology.”
She said she believes Farrer realizes his mistakes and that “he didn’t make the best choices.”
With the settlement agreement, the town withdraws and dismisses all disciplinary charges that were pending.
The initial charges included violation of rules, conduct unbecoming an officer, neglect of duty and conduct injurious to the public peace or welfare. On Feb. 14, “failing to cooperate or be truthful” was added.
