Judge rules Philadelphia had right to deny cop’s promotion

A judge has ruled the city of Philadelphia acted within its rights in denying the promotion of a police lieutenant acquitted of hitting a woman at a parade in the city almost five years ago.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the Dec. 21 ruling comes after the police union challenged the department’s decision to pass over Lt. Jonathan Josey for a promotion to captain in March.

Josey, a 23-year force veteran, was terminated after a video went viral that appeared to show him striking a woman at a Puerto Rican parade in the city in 2012. He was ultimately acquitted and given his job back.

The union contended that the city unjustly considered the incident in denying Josey the promotion. The city successfully argued that the eligible list for promotion that included Josey had expired.