Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner will be back in his office Monday.

"I got a letter," Horner said Tuesday afternoon. "I picked it up about 2 (p.m.) or so."

Portsmouth Mayor James D. Kalb issued a short written statement Tuesday afternoon.

"The city of Portsmouth respects the decision of the Civil Service Commission. Charles Horner, Chief of Police of Portsmouth Police Department, has been reinstated and will return to work in his capacity as Police Chief on Monday, December 29, 2008."

Horner said he is pleased to see his situation seemingly coming to an end.

"I'm obviously very happy that this long drawn-out process has come to an end," Horner said. "I feel that truth has prevailed and I think that obviously the citizens of Portsmouth expect that when I return I will do the best job for the city of Portsmouth."

Horner has been in an openly adversarial relationship with Kalb since being suspended on May 23, 2008, and terminated by Kalb on Oct. 3, 2008.

"I will work cooperatively with the mayor and solicitor (Mike Jones) and do what I need to (in order) to achieve that," Horner said.

The charges that brought about Horner's suspension included engaging in conduct unbecoming a law enforcement officer; abuse of power; insubordination; and creating a hostile work environment.

Horner had appealed to the Civil Service Commission in November, and appeared for a ruling last week.

At that meeting, the commission reversed the firing and reinstated Horner.

At that hearing David Erwin, a member of the commission said, --

"In regard to the reasons for termination listed in the Oct. 3, 2008 letter to Charles Horner signed by James D. Kalb, Mayor of Portsmouth, Ohio, the commission finds as follows:

Reason one -- Insufficient substantiation, allegation not proved," Erwin said. He then repeated that decision on charges two through five.

"A review of the testimony before the commission fails to reveal sufficient evidence, either serially or singly, to justify the termination of the employment of Charles Horner," Erwin said. "The commission, therefore, finds and orders that Charles Horner be reinstated as Chief of Police with full pay, rights, and benefits retroactive to the date of his termination (Oct. 3, 2008)."

The decision as to whether the city would pursue an appeal through the Scioto County Common Pleas Court or back off and reinstate Horner was in Kalb's power, and the Tuesday announcement brings closure to the question, and now Horner has to prepare to return to his job.

"Obviously I'm not going to rush into anything," Horner said. "I'll meet with the mayor, obviously at 9 (a.m.) Monday as directed by him. Obviously following that meeting and with a discussion with him (Kalb) I'll will be meeting with my captains and my lieutenants, obviously going over what has occurred in the last approximately six months, and I will sit down and see what's best for the Police Department and the City of Portsmouth."

Horner said he plans to work cooperatively with everybody concerned to try to make things better.

"This is a great Christmas present," Horner said.