A fired Austin PD commander is fighting to get his job back. In March, Larry Oliver was let go for not reporting a discriminatory statement and insubordination. Monday was day one of his appeal hearing.

Sgt. Mary Hesalroad defended the man who was fired for not defending her.

"I don't think there's a dishonest bone in that man's body," she said.

In September, Commander Larry Oliver appointed Hesalroad to the training academy. When Oliver was transferred out, she soon got a phone call.

"If you're above the rank of sergeant they don't want you to leave," Hesalroad said.

Hesalroad thought she'd been discriminated against. She reported it and it came back to Oliver. City documents show Commander Calvin Smith told Oliver a discriminatory comment about Hesalroad. Oliver didn't report it.

APD Chief Art Acevedo punished both commanders. Smith got a 20-day suspension, Oliver got 30 days. Oliver then discussed the punishment before it was approved.

For that, Acevedo says, he was insubordinate. Oliver didn't take the suspension and chose to be fired and take a chance on an appeal.

"I completely have a problem with him being a commander on this police department," Acevedo said. "He should have known better. He knew exactly what he was supposed to do. He's not just a brand new officer off the beat."

 Hesalroad says they've punished the wrong man.

"If you don't do it just like Art Acevedo likes it then you're going to get even more days off than the person who did it. That's the message that I take from it," he said.

It could be a month before we find out what the arbitrator took from this. He'll have 30 days after the hearing concludes to decide if Oliver will get his job back.