An arbitrator has upheld the Mendota Heights' City Council's decision to fire Sgt. Bobby Lambert after he and officers conducted an improper search in February 2016 while responding to a drug overdose.
Arbitrator Richard J. Miller said in a March 2 decision that the city had the authority to terminate Lambert last June because he was still under a one-year probationary period. Lambert was a 20-year department veteran but had just been promoted to sergeant.
Lambert and his union, the Minnesota Public Employees Association, argued unsuccessfully that because Lambert was already an employee before the promotion, "just cause" was required to fire him.
On Feb. 4, 2016, Lambert and two officers arrived at a Mendota Heights home in response to a call about a possible drug overdose. Anthony Rancone was pronounced dead Feb. 5 after resuscitation efforts failed.
Lambert admitted he made mistakes during the investigation that followed, including searching the entire residence without a warrant.
The arbitrator found he also should have called an investigator to the scene and worn gloves during the search, which turned up $7,451 in cash plus drug paraphernalia.
The county attorney's office declined to charge two men present when the overdose occurred, the document said, partly as a result of Lambert's errors.
At a June City Council meeting, Lambert's supporters filled the chambers and passionately defended him, to no avail.
