152 P. 480 | Mont. | 1915
delivered the opinion of the court.
The city of Missoula is a municipal corporation organized under the' laws of this state. It is, and for several years has been, a city of the first class. It was governed by a mayor and board of aldermen until 1911, when it adopted the commission plan of government and elected a mayor and two commissioners, who since then have constituted the governing body of the city. In 1910 P. J. McDonald successfully passed an examination before the examining and trial board of the police department of the city, received his appointment as policeman for the probationary term, qualified and discharged the duties of his office during such term, and was then appointed permanently — all under the Metropolitan Police Law in force in this state and obligatory upon a city of the class to which Missoula belongs. He qualified for the permanent appointment and served continuously as policeman until about May 27, 1914, when he was dismissed without a trial. He instituted this proceeding in mandamus to compel his reinstatement, and prevailed in the district court. The defendants have appealed from the judgment ana an order denying them a new trial.
The resolution referred to directed the commissioner of public safety and charity to reduce the police force to the lowest possible working number consistent with the maintenance of peace and good order; but it was not followed by any evidence that relator was discharged or relegated to the eligible list in pursuance of the policy indicated in the resolution. On the contrary, the evidence discloses that as many policemen were employed after as before the date of relator’s discharge, that the relator was one of the oldest policemen in point of service, and that several whose commissions were subsequent to his, were retained in the city’s police service. We have for consideration a meritorious case in which relator demonstrated that he was ousted from office to which he was entitled, and that his discharge was effected in flagrant violation of the Metropolitan Police Law. The judgment restoring him is manifestly just; and since it is inconceivable under the circumstances that any substantial rights of defendants have been prejudicially affected, the errors committed
The judgment and order are affirmed.
Affirmed.