Police Officer Accused In Heinz Field Scuffle With Fan Fired
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Pittsburgh Police officer who was charged, cleared, and then charged again in connection with a scuffle with a high school football fan outside of Heinz Field last fall is reportedly in the process of being fired.
Sgt. Stephen Matakovich confirms to KDKA Investigator Marty Griffin that he is being let go from the department. He says he has been suspended for what the department calls "five-days pending termination," which generally results in firing.
Matakovich tells KDKA he had a disciplinary hearing on Monday where he was suspended.
Police say Matakovich was working a uniformed, off-duty secondary employment detail at the WPIAL football championship games at the stadium in November, when he arrested a man for a number of charges, including public drunkenness and aggravated assault.
According to police, surveillance video of the arrest and a scuffle led to a criminal investigation, which led to Matakovich being charged with simple assault and official oppression as well as a suspension.
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A judge dismissed charges against him, but last week, the Allegheny County District Attorney said the charges will be refiled.
Elizabeth Pittinger, with the Citizen Police Review Board, says Matakovich's behavior has gone against the type of policing that Chief Cameron McLay has pledged.
"I'm not the least bit surprised they would seek to terminate his employment based on the administrative violations," Pittinger said. "At the end of the day, when people look and hear about these incidents, it affects their trust in the Bureau of Police and operations of the Bureau of Police."
Matakovich says he's appealed his suspension to the city's public safety director.
He remains on paid leave. If he is formally terminated, he says he will appeal. A formal termination could happen next week.
Matakovich tells KDKA he cannot get into the details of his case, but he promises there is a lot more to it. He says he believes he will be vindicated and will be back on the job.
The FBI is also reviewing the case.
