Chief's Suspension Of Police Officer For Alleged False Statements and Untruthfulness Ruled False

The Chief of the Bridgewater Police Department reprimanded and suspended a police officer five days without pay for working more than 16 hours in a 24-hour period and allegedly lying about it. The Civil Service Commission found that the charges were not sustained and ordered the City to reimburse the police officer for lost wages, to pay certain fees associated with the appeal, and to restore the officer to certain special assignments and activities.

The Chief commissioned two investigations of the officer, neither of which interviewed the officer in question. The Chief's intense bias against the police officer was encapsulated by his act of testifying against the police officer during a hearing in which the Chief also served as the hearing officer. The Commission concluded that the Chief targeted the officer after filing a bypass appeal. The Chief's bizarre conduct led the Commission's hearing officer to question his fitness.

This Commission decision serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need for a state agency to protect public employees against bias and political influence in disciplinary decisions. It also shows that disciplinary decisions by Chiefs can be guided by concerns other than basic merit principles.