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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

A lawsuit by Clanton Police Officer Cameron Bates against the city of Clanton will proceed following a decision by Circuit Judge Donald McMillian Jr.

McMillian filed an order on March 22 denying the city’s motion to dismiss the case, according to court records.

Attorney James Porter had filed a motion to dismiss the case on behalf of the city of Clanton on Jan. 9. The motion stated that Bates’ complaint asking to be reinstated as a police officer at his previous rank and pay with backpay and benefits failed “to state a claim upon which relief can be granted” and that there were other administrative remedies available to Bates.

Bates filed the complaint after being suspended without a due process hearing. He has since been reinstated as a police officer following a favorable outcome of his Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training hearing. Since Bates has already been reinstated, that portion of the complaint has been withdrawn. However, the claims for damages of backpay and benefits remains.