Adam Cooley, left, and Sean EmmerThe city has prevailed in the first of two court actions being pursued in a bid to keep two fired police officers from being returned to duty.
However, Circuit Court Judge Neil Thomas did order the city to put officers Sean Emmer and Adam Cooley back on the payroll.
Emmer and Cooley were fired in November over accusations that they used excessive force in the June 14, 2012, beating of a federal inmate that left him with two broken legs.
Administrative Law Judge Kim Summers, of Nashville, last month ordered that the officers be reinstated and receive full back pay, but the city asked for a temporary restraining order blocking their return to work pending an appeal.
On Friday, Thomas agreed that the officers shouldn’t return to work in light of the appeal and granted the city’s request.