Fire chief is back on the job

Eunice Fire Chief Mike Arnold returned to work Monday after about eight months off the job.
On Aug. 7, District Judge James Doherty Jr. ruled that Arnold should be reinstated to his job as fire chief.
Vernon McManus, city attorney, said the judge decided a Fire and Police Civil Service Board was correct in reinstating Arnold.
“So he is going to be reinstated and he’ll be paid his back time and everything that is due to him,” McManus said.
Arnold said he received a letter from Mayor Claud “Rusty” Moody informing him he could return to work Monday.
Arnold was terminated by the city council in January on the mayor’s recommendation.
In October, he was accused of slapping a 33-year-old volunteer firefighter on her buttocks. The incident reportedly occurred during a break at fire prevention presentation at Glendale Elementary.
On Jan. 26, Arnold pleaded no contest to simple battery. A no contest plea does not admit guilt.
Arnold was sentenced by City Judge Terry Hoychick to pay a $150 fine, $155.50 court costs and sentenced to six months in jail.
The jail time and fine were suspended. Arnold was given one year of unsupervised probation and order to complete five eight-hour days of community service.
The maximum penalty for simple battery is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.