[420 Girl]

An arbiter will decide whether former Tallahassee Police Investigator Ryan Pender gets his job back.

He was fired in September for his role in the drug sting that led to the death of 23-year-old confidential informant Rachel Hoffman. The city has denied Pender's request to be reinstated with back pay and benefits.

Pender's attorney, Paul Villeneuve, received the grievance denial letter late Friday. He has 15 days to notify the city of Pender's intent to seek arbitration.

"We look forward to the next stage and hope that we get a level playing field where we can debate the merits of this entire thing," Villeneuve said Monday.

Under police-union rules, the city and Pender must agree on an arbiter who will make a final decision. Villeneuve expects a hearing in the spring.

Hoffman, a recent Florida State graduate, became a confidential informant after TPD officers found drugs in her apartment in April. She was killed in May when a planned bust went awry.

Pender, who had recruited her, was the only officer fired for his role in the case. Four senior officers were suspended for two weeks without pay.

One of those officers, Sgt. Rod Looney, is fighting his suspension and seeking back pay and benefits. His grievance was also denied Friday. He has 15 days to request arbitration.

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