When he completely overturned a 10-day suspension imposed on San Rafael Police Officer James Strong, Arbitrator Leo Kanowitz acknowledged that off-duty officers are sometimes compelled to make arrests for the safety of the community; even though they are out of their jurisdiction and even though it would have been easier […]
The liability associated with sexual harassment claims has caused many police agencies to adopt the “sustain, suspend and arbitrate” approach whenever such allegations are raised. Since both California and federal law require an employer to take “prompt and effective remedial action” for complaints of sexual harassment, agencies will often ignore […]
Petersen Law Firm attorney, Carmen Brock was recently successful in obtaining a significant reduction in discipline for an Alhambra firefighter/paramedic accused of threatening a member of the public. During the evening of September 3, 1996, paramedic Scott Burnside and his co-workers responded to a medical aid call where a male […]
Detective Debra White, a veteran member of the Montclair Police Department, was discharged from her position on January 18, 1996. Arbitrator Michael Prihar recently issued an award to reinstate her with all benefits of employment. White was removed from her position over a dispute with a detective supervisor occurring on […]
On February 6, 1997, Shasta County Deputy Steve Courtney requested time off work to attend a previously scheduled medical appointment. While seemingly a routine matter, Courtney’s sergeant began to inquire into the nature of Courtney’s medical problems. As the questioning became more persistent, Courtney became concerned that his sergeant was […]