Civil Service Decisions

A majority of the Commission affirmed the decision of the Salem Fire Department to terminate the employment of a firefighter for conduct unbecoming a firefighter (i.e., taking cash from a union-operated vending machine without authorization) and then misrepresenting what occurred.

The Commission allowed the appeal of a Trooper and overturned his termination as the State Police was unable to show that the Trooper engaged in the alleged unlawful conduct of sexual harassment and indecent assault and battery while attending an off-duty social event.

The Commission dismissed the termination appeal of a housing authority employee based on lack of jurisdiction as the employee had not been employed by the housing authority for at least five continuous years at the time of his termination.

The Commission affirmed the decision of the City of Brockton to terminate a police officer for (1) neglecting his duties by leaving the scene of an active motor vehicle accident without completing an OUI investigation; and (2) abusing his authority by initiating a reckless motor vehicle pursuit of a fellow officer.

The Commission allowed the appeal of a Leominster Police Officer and overturned his five-day suspension as the City of Leominster failed to prove that he violated the Leominster Police Department’s use of force policy.

The Commission affirmed the decision of the Boston Fire Department to suspend a District Fire Chief for four tours of duty based on his off-duty misconduct, including violation of the Department’s social media policy.

The Commission affirmed the Town of Southbridge’s decision to suspend a police officer for five days based on her failure to follow policies and procedures when responding to a report of animal abuse and her misuse of an emergency personal day.