news-record.com

GREENSBORO — A Greensboro police officer recommended for firing in July after he was accused of assaulting two women at a party got his job back Friday.

Ahmed Blake won back his job following an appeal to Interim City Manager Bob Morgan.

Although Morgan reinstated Blake, he did demote the officer. The move will allow Blake to rejoin the force, but reduces his rank from Police Officer II to Police Officer I, Morgan said.

Blake was suspended in January after allegations that he assaulted his fiancee and the girlfriend of another officer following a night of heavy drinking with other officers at the Greensboro Police Club.

Blake was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on a female. He was convicted by a judge in Guilford County District Court in March. He appealed that ruling and was found not guilty by a Superior Court jury in July.

A week before his Superior Court trial was set to begin, Blake appeared before a police administrative board, which recommended his firing. Police Chief Tim Bellamy upheld the board’s finding.

But with the weight of his acquittal, Blake appealed to get his job back.

“I’m extremely happy,” Blake said by phone Friday afternoon after meeting with his attorney. “I am very appreciative of all the people who have stood beside me the last eight months.”

The demotion will decrease Blake’s salary from $44,147 to $36,600 annually, Morgan said.

Morgan confirmed that Blake will get back pay but declined to say how far back he would be paid. Blake said a letter he received from Morgan indicated the pay will cover his lost wages since his January suspension.

Blake previously served on the department’s gang squad but has criticized the group by saying that superiors used derogatory racial slurs against him and that the squad unfairly targeted and harassed Latino gangs.

Police officials have repeatedly denied Blake’s allegations.

Blake said it is likely he will end up in a patrol position.

“It’s obvious I can’t work with (the gang squad,) Blake said. 

"The threats would be coming more from them than the criminals.”

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com