Leechburg Council and police Chief Mike Diebold have come to a mutual agreement regarding his possible return to service.

The agreement was unanimously approved by borough council Tuesday.

The borough has agreed to place Diebold on paid leave, retroactive to Dec. 11, pending his completion of a fitness for duty medical exam that will determine Diebold's ability to perform the job.

Diebold's left arm was blown off by fireworks on June 24, and he was fitted with a mechanical arm that uses his shoulder muscles to open and close a hook or a clawlike hand.

If the medical exam shows Diebold can perform the duties, he will return to full active duty.

The results of the exam will be shared with Pennsylvania's Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.

“Basically, I'm glad that council took it into their hands to do the due diligence to get this resolved in a way that I think can be best for all,” Diebold said. He spoke in a telephone interview after the meeting, which he did not attend on the advice of his attorney.

Diebold said he isn't worried about passing the exam because he already passed the required weapons qualification on Dec. 3 and, two days later, gave the borough a letter from his doctor clearing him for work without restrictions.

Diebold said they haven't determined a time for the exam or a doctor who will perform it.

He hopes to have it completed and be back to work shortly after the first of the year.

Although happy to be one step closer to being back on the job, Diebold worries the extra exam may be holding him to a higher standard than other officers. Council wouldn't say Tuesday whether other officers on the police force would have to take the same exam. The department currently employs two full-time and five part-time officers, Dobos said.

Further details of the agreement weren't made public Tuesday because Diebold still has to sign it. He expected to have the agreement in the hands of his lawyer on Wednesday.

After both parties have signed the agreement, it will become a public document.

Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos read a prepared statement during the council meeting Tuesday saying, “The borough council expresses its gratitude to Chief Diebold for his cooperation in reaching agreement on a process that is fair to him and the Leechburg community.”

Dobos went on to say “at no time prior to reaching this agreement with Chief Diebold did the borough council ever intend to be unfair to Chief Diebold in handling his desire to return to work.”

The cost of the back pay and legal counsel that was hired to handle the case wasn't immediately released Tuesday. Council said the cost of the counsel would be released once the borough receives a bill.

Nearly 20 people showed up Tuesday night to support Diebold, including his mom, Karen. She thanked council for the work they put into reaching an agreement with her son.

“Mike needs to get back to work. He needs it both mentally and physically — he's ready,” she said. “I thank them all for moving it along.”

Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-226-4680, emilybalser@tribweb.com or via Twitter @emilybalser.

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