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GREENSBORO — The Greensboro Police Officers Association  on Tuesday criticized the city’s decision to reinstate Officer Ahmed Blake  after he was recommended for dismissal from the force in July.

“Mr. Blake, in our opinion, has violated numerous departmental directives, to include but not limited to, baseless accusations against fine officers as well as consorting with a convicted felon and known gang leader,” a statement from the police officers association said.

“Chief Bellamy and the (police administrative) board made the right call in terminating Mr. Blake, as he, in our opinion should not be a member of this agency. We wish to let the public know our disagreement with this decision and our deep disappointment with city administration in not investigating this matter correctly, if at all.”

Interim City Manager Bob Morgan  reinstated Blake on Friday but demoted him.  

Blake had been suspended in January after allegations that he assaulted his fiancee and another officer’s girlfriend after 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. Blake appealed that ruling. In July, he was found not guilty by a Superior Court jury .

A week before his Superior Court trial was to begin, Blake appeared before the police department’s general board of inquiry, which recommended that he be fired. Police Chief Tim Bellamy  upheld the board’s finding.

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

Blake has been widely critical of the department’s gang squad, where he was previously assigned, saying that supervisors used racial slurs against him and unfairly targeted and harassed Latino gangs.

“Our agency has been under widespread criticism for a long time,” the statement by the police officers association said.

“Good officers have continued to do their jobs every day despite these criticisms. We will continue to do so. However, it makes it extremely difficult when uneducated decisions such as this put people who are not fit to serve back on the force.”

Morgan has not commented on his decision to reinstate Blake, citing personnel privacy laws. He said in July that he would abide by city policy in making his decision.

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