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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Cameron Bates has been reinstated as a Clanton Police officer following his Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training hearing.

“Cameron was totally vindicated,” Bates’ attorney Rick Lyerly said of the hearing. “His credentials were reinstated that day.”

Lyerly commented that “the evidence was overwhelming” in Bates’ favor.

The APOST hearing was held on Feb. 28.

Bates has filed a lawsuit against the city of Clanton for being suspended without a due process hearing after APOST announced its investigation. The investigation started after there was discussion that a video Bates had was unavailable. Bates said he had given it to the District Attorney’s Office. In court documentation, Bates maintained allegations against him were “groundless” and was “confident in prevailing in the APOST matter.”

“We are trying to right some wrongs,” Lyerly said, who is also representing Bates in this case, said.

A court date of March 17 has been set for the civil case in which Bates has asked to be reinstated at his previous rank and pay with backpay and benefits. A Bibb County judge will hear the case because Chilton County judges had to recuse themselves due to knowing Bates.