NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- An arbitrator overturned on Thursday the firing of former New Haven police Lt. William White in a decision that could affect future city attempts to terminate officers.

The city's Board of Police Commissioners voted to terminate White last spring after he was convicted of stealing cash from drug busts. White submitted his retirement before he was fired.

The arbitrator decided that language in the police contract supersedes the city's order, saying a retirement is official as soon as it is submitted.

"The language in the contract is unfortunate," Mayor John DeStefano Jr. said in a written statement. "When someone fails to uphold their oath to the community, breaks their trust and behaves ... they don't deserve to be able to retire from the Police Department, nor do they deserve the benefits that accompany that designation."

White pleaded guilty in October on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and theft of government property. He could face 37 to 46 months in prison under federal guidelines.

Another Detective's Firing Canceled

In wake of the arbitrator's decision, the police board canceled a termination hearing scheduled for Thursday regarding Detective Clarence Willoughby, who pleaded guilty Thursday to larceny and forgery charges (Full Story).

Willoughby, a 24-year veteran, is accused of stealing from a fund used to pay confidential informants. He was in court Wednesday to plead not guilty to larceny and forgery charges.

Willoughby filed for retirement Feb. 6, just before he turned himself in at police headquarters and he has been placed on paid leave. Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Leon Collins reported Thursday that it appears Willoughby's retirement will go through based on the arbitrator's decision in the White case.

Collins reported the city has backed off efforts to terminate Willoughby.

When asked for comment, Norm Pattis, an attorney representing Willoughby told Eyewitness News, "God bless America."

City officials said they plan to pursue new language in the police contract, including a so-called "Bad Boy Clause" that would result in the loss of pensions and related benefits for employees found guilty of abusing their authority.