PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A high-ranking member of the Pittsburgh fire department is caught on tape in a bar fight.

Deputy Fire Chief Michael Mullen is caught on surveillance video punching a man in the face in the middle of Finn McCools on the South Side.

Investigators say Mullen is the first man seen in the video. Mullen had a hat on and his hands around a man’s neck.

The video then shows five or six other bar patrons getting involved, trying to break it up.

As the fight apparently slows down, the video shows deputy fire chief Mullen getting to his feet and punching the bar manager in the face.

“It’s a big problem and it’s not the example we expect, it’s very embarrassing to the city and to the fire bureau and it’s something ….,” Public Safety Director Michael Huss said. “He’s had issues in the past and we tried to prevent him from being promoted, but the courts told us we had to promote him.”

“In retrospect, I wish the courts hadn’t done that,” Huss added.

Huss, angered by the video, said Mullen is a 37-year veteran of the department and that Mullen has been punished several times in the past for anger-related incidents.

Huss said Mullen should not be a deputy chief.

“He’s still on active duty as we speak,” Huss said. “We’re going to evaluate, meet with the law department see what actions we can take.”

Mullen is charged with misdemeanor simple assault.

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