Fired UNC Police Officer Reinstated by Chancellor

A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill police officer who was fired for breaking departmental rules is back on the force. Chancellor Michael Hooker reinstated Lieutenant Ed Swain Wednesday, saying Swain's punishment was too severe.

Dean Loven, Swain's attorney, says he is very happy his client will get his job back.

"He's wanted that all along," Loven explained.

The Chancellor's review determined Ed Swained was not fired in retaliation for giving an underaged drinking ticket to a trustee's daughter. But it did recommend a less severe punishment. Hooker accepted the review and decides to reinstate Swain with back pay, minus a one-week suspension.

Now Swain and his team of attorneys must decide if they will go forward with the legal proceedings they have against UNC.

"We will need to discuss the legal options," Loven says, "because he is still being penalized for his actions and having a one week suspension without pay."

Swain was in a hearing today about the disappearance of an underaged drinking ticket he gave to a UNC trustee's daughter. The university is looking into rumors that someone was trying to cover up that ticket before it resurfaced.

So far, Swain has no comment. WRAL will have his reaction during the 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. newscasts.

andKerrie Hudzinski