Former Port Arthur Police Sgt. Mickey Sterling’s termination hearing will begin on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Port Arthur City Hall.

The public arbitration hearings are set for Nov. 14 through Nov. 16 for Sterling who was fired from the department in June. He is one of five officers placed on administrative leave earlier this year that was later terminated from his position.

Sterling will be represented by an attorney from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas while the city will be represented by Bettye Lynn of Lynn Ross and Gannaway LLP which is headquartered in Fort Worth.

Bob Thomas, a CLEAT attorney, explained that an arbitrator from Sherman, Texas, who is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, would be on hand and make a final, binding decision. The arbitrator will act as a judge, so to speak, in the proceedings.

The hearing will be similar to a trial with both sides presenting evidence, cross-examinations and witnesses called.

The Port Arthur Police Association, which has long been critical of police Chief Patrick Melvin, announced the upcoming hearing on their Facebook page. They included some criticism of the city itself by noting mounting legal fees.

The group reports that Lynn was first brought in to work with the city on the police contract, fire department contract and assist with internal investigations. They allege that from Oct. 5, 2015 to Aug. 20, 2017 the city has paid Lynn’s firm more than $269,000 and they argue the figure is likely to climb to more than $300,000 by the end of the year.

“These arbitrations are open to the public and the association is inviting all to attend to see if Bettye Lynn has earned the money she has collected. Mark your calendars,” the Police Association posted on Facebook.

The city’s spokesperson has never spoken publicly about what made Sterling lose his job.

Of the original five officers placed on administrative leave, two retired and two were reinstated, one of which left to work at a different city.