A Utica police sergeant will return to the force after an arbitrator ruled in his favor following a 2020 pepper-spray incident.

Sgt. Samuel Geddes will serve an additional five-day suspension in addition to the initial 30-day suspension handed down in 2020, and will finish anger management and de-escalation training, the UPD said in a release. The arbitrator's decision was delayed due to "COVID and other factors," according to police.

Geddes was initially suspended following the August 2020 incident in which an argument between two residents turned into an argument between one of them and Geddes, ending with Geddes dispensing pepper spray in the direction of the resident and a teenager who was also involved.

After his initial suspension for conduct unbecoming an officer, the UPD sought to fire Geddes, which he and the PBA fought, forcing it to arbitration.

The arbitrator did not find Geddes guilty of use of excessive force.