Colwyn police chief may be reinstated

Colwyn borough might have to rehire the police chief it removed in 2009.

Commonwealth Court judges ruled last week upheld an arbitrator's finding that Bryan Hills, who contended his dismissal was racially motivated, was unfairly terminated. It was the second time the arbitrator's decision had withstood a court challenge.

The Delaware County borough has 30 days to request a hearing before the state Supreme Court, but if the decision stands, Hills would have to be reinstated with some back pay.

He said the Fraternal Order of Police will negotiate with borough officials to figure out the next steps.

"I'd rather go to work," said Hills, who is white. "But it's such a mess ... it would be difficult to go back to work in a hostile environment."

Neither the mayor, the council president nor borough attorneys responded to numerous requests for comment.

Contact Jessica Parks at 610-313-8117 or jparks@philly.com.