132 Mich. 9 | Mich. | 1902
This is a proceeding to review the action of the circuit court for the county of Wayne in denying relator a mandamus compelling respondent to vacate an order dismissing him from the police force of the city of Detroit.
On June 2, 1902, the following charge was preferred against relator:
“Hon. Board op' Metropolitan Police Commissioners op the City op Detroit: I hereby prefer the following charges against Doorman Robert R. Oesterreich:
“ Charge, conduct unbecoming an officer.
“Specification 1st: Doorman Robert R. Oesterreich reported as being sick on the evening of May 19, 1902, and was absent until May 24, 1902, and carried on the time-book as reported sick, during which time he was at his home, engaged at manual labor; showing falsehood and deception in his report to his superior officers, prejudicial to good order and discipline.
“Witnesses:
“Albert M. Stoddard, Lieutenant.
“Peter Jocques, Sergeant.
“John Higgins, Sergeant.
“Respectfully submitted.
“A. Baker,
“Captain.”
On June 3, 1902, a copy of said charge was served on relator, with a written notice that he must furnish an answer in writing within three days. Relator filed a
“ Doorman Eobert E. Oesterreich, arraigned on June 5, 1902, charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and neglect of duty, in that he was doing manual labor on his own premises whilst reporting himself unable to do police duty, was found guilty, and sentenced to be dismissed from the force, to take effect July 1, 1902.”
Eelator contends that he is entitled to a, mandamus on two grounds: First, that “the commissioner of police had no jurisdiction to try and remove the relator in these proceedings had before him, the complaint required by the statute not having been sworn to;” second, that, “if he [respondent] had jurisdiction to try him [relator], no offense was charged in the complaint, and his [respondent’s] findings and sentence were irregular and illegal.”
It is urged that, under the law governing this case (Act No. 116, Local Acts 1901), relator could be removed only for conduct which violated rules and regulations of the police department, and that such rules and regulations were not violated by the misconduct charged in the complaint against relator. We cannot agree with relator in his position that he could not be removed except for violation of the rules and regulations of the department. Section 5 of the act under consideration provides:
“'Said commissioner shall also have power, for cause assigned, * * * to remove and suspend from office. ”
Section 10 provides:
“Any citizen of Detroit, or officer of the police force, with a view to the trial and suspension or removal from office of any officer or patrolman of the police force, may, on oath, in writing, prefer or make * * * charges or complaint touching the character or competency, or affecting the acts, conduct, or omissions, of such officer or patrolman, or for violation of, or misconduct as defined or prescribed by, the rules and regulations of the police department ; and said commissioner of police * * * may make an order of removal or suspension for some certain period, or may impose a fine, to be deducted from the pay of the officer accused.”
In our opinion, the foregoing provisions give ample power to the commissioner to try and remove any member of the police force for other cause than violations of the rules and regulations of the police department. We cannot think it was intended by this act to compel the commissioner to retain, as a member of the force, a man
Relator also urges that the charge made against him was that of absence from .duty only, for which the maximum penalty prescribed by the rules of the department was forfeiture of pay during the time absent. What has been stated respecting the charge made against relator sufficiently shows that, in our opinion, he was charged with sotnething more than mere absence from duty.
It results from these views that we think the court below correctly disposed of this case, and therefore his order will be affirmed.