Arbitrator sustains a three-day suspension of a police officer for failure to drive with due regard for safety. During a pursuit, where he was driving the third car, he ran a red light at high speed and collided with a citizen. The other driver's failure to yield to an emergency vehicle did not lessen the officer's duty to use due caution, and not driving the first car in the pursuit made his mission less critical. City of Houston and Individual Grievant, AAA Case No. 70-390-00035-08, 125 LA (BNA) 134 (Moore, 2008).
     California appellate court upholds a law allowing public agencies to recover many costs associated with a DUI arrest or accident, including response and investigation time. Cal. Hwy. Patrol v. Super. Ct. (Allende), #A109209, 135 Cal.App.4th 488, 2006 Cal. App. Lexis 3 (1st Dist. 2006). {N/R}
     Arbitrator holds that a fire district can terminate a paramedic/firefighter if the insurance carrier refuses to include him within the fleet policy, based on a DUI incident. Cumberland Trail Jt. Fire Dist. and C.T. Career Firefighters L-3667, FMCS #04-03014-T (Petersen, 2004). [2004 FP Oct]
     Although the chief could modify the punishment recommended by an Accident Review Board, he must justify any increase in penalty with good reasons. Arbitrator reduces the suspension from 7 to 4 days, as originally recommended. City of Houston and Indiv. Grievant "G", 118 LA (BNA) 702, AAA #70-390-00829-02 (Moore, 2003). [2003 FP Oct]
     Arbitrator sustains a one-day suspension for a police officer that collided with another vehicle while responding to a burglary call. Officer either failed to activate, or waited too long to enable the Opticom priority control traffic system, and did not turn on his lights and siren until at the intersection. City of Broken Arrow and FOP L-170, FMCS Case #02/04541,117 LA (BNA) 1454 (Goodman, 2002). [2003 FP Apr]
    Arbitrator refuses to reinstate a police officer. During his six years on the job, the officer was at fault in seven on-duty vehicle collisions. City of Houston and "J" Individual Grievant, AAA Case #70-390-00017-02, 117 LA (BNA) 408 (Moore, 2002). [2002 FP Nov]
     GSA asks all federal agencies to prohibit employees from using hand-held cell phones while driving government owned vehicles, and to provide hands-free devices. GSA Motor Vehicle Management Bulletin FMR B-2, 67 (41) Federal Register 9453-9454 (3/1/02). [2002 FP Jun]
     G.S.A. now matches the I.R.S. private vehicle reimbursement or tax-deduction rates of 36½ cents per mile, effective 1 Jan. 2002. Source: 40 (1944) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 90. [N/R]
     Arbitrator imposes a three-day suspension of a police officer who caused a collision by backing through an intersection to respond to a routine call. Dormont (Bor. of) and Dormont Police Assn., 115 LA (BNA) 106 (Dean, 2000). [2001 FP 46-7]
     Appellate court sustains conviction of police officer who crossed a double line to pursue a person driving on a suspended license. There was no "emergency" to justify dangerous driving. Phillips v. Comm. of Va., 25 Va.App. 144, 487 S.E.2d 235 (1997). [1998 FP 109]
     Appellate court sustains punishment of a sheriff's deputy who crashed a patrol car. Forensic evidence proved he was speeding on a curve. Barresi v. Mahoney, 647 N.Y.S.2d 25, 1996 N.Y. App.Div. Lexis 8672. [1997 FP 94]
     Appellate court sustains five-day suspension of a police officer for careless driving. Dwyer v. White Plains, 613 N.Y.S.2d 44 (A.D. 1994). [1995 FP 69-70]
     Arbitrator orders police dept. to reinstate take-home vehicle policy which was unilaterally restricted for economic reasons during the life of the bargaining agreement. Kansas City KS and FOP L-4, 104 LA (BNA) 710 (Bailey, 1995). [1995 FP 138-9]
     Arkansas upholds summary dismissal of a police officer who was fired for not terminating high speed chase. $39,000 wrongful discharge verdict reversed. Green Forest (City of) v. Morse, 873 S.W.2d 155 (Ark. 1994). [1994 FP 137]
     City settles traffic accident claim; fire truck hit vehicle which was propelled into a pedestrian. City paid $750,000 and other vehicle paid $10,000. Kozamski v. City of N.Y., N.Y. Co. Sup.Ct. #1958/90, 38 (7) ATLA L.Rptr. 266 (10/4/94). {N/R}
     Emergency vehicle could lawfully pass a stopped school bus. State v. Jones, 541 N.E.2d 1100, 44 Ohio Misc. 2d 35 (1989).
     Appeals court upholds administrative find and disciplinary suspension imposed on police officer for negligent driving and causing a vehicular collision. Spillman v. Town of Rampo, 520 N.Y.S.2d 598 (A.D. 1987).
     Five-day administrative fine upheld for failing to immediately report damage to department vehicle. Turzyn v. Rozzi, 520 N.Y.S.2d 601 (A.D. 1987).
     Officer who wrecked squad car could be required to pay costs of repair; fact blood/alcohol level was only 0.8 irrelevant. Hussey v. City of New Orleans Dept. of Police, 502 So.2d 1103 (La. App. 1987).
     Errant drivers not liable for property damage to city vehicles unless previously warned, but may be suspended for poor driving. Additionally, reimbursement would cause overly cautious emergency response. Williams v. Dept. of Police, 487 So.2d 528 (La. App. 1986).
     Brief suspension appropriate for intersection collision while on emergency run. Powell v. Alexandria Mun. Fire & Police Bd., 476 So.2d 1109 (La. App. 1985).
     City wins countersuit for vehicle damage while successfully defending wrongful death claim. Holmes v. Spokane Valley, King Co. Sup'r Ct. (1979).
     Suspension from use of vehicle does not require a hearing. Opinion #78-1086 N.Y. State Comptroller.
     Passengers receive $635,000 for collision with emergency vehicle; city ran red light at intersection, beacon light out. Weir v. City of St. Paul, Ramsey Co. #390919 (1977).
     Statute can immunize department rules on emergency call held evidence of negligence; employer created higher standard of care. DeLong v. City and County of Denver, 520 P.2d 1308, 1309 (Colo. App. 1974); Dillenbeck v. City of Los Angeles, 446 P.2d 129 (Cal. 1969).
     "Looking at smoke" fire truck drive struck automobile; other driver, passengers, recover $97,500 for their injuries. Mason v. Village of Bellwood, 346 N.E.2d 175 (Ill.App. 1976).
     Employee reimbursement for damage caused part of city rules; not enforced in this case. City of Inkster, Mich. and Inkster Police Officers" Assn., (Cook, 1976).
     Leaving the city limits did not affect liability of fire department for accident injuries inter-agency contract was still a governmental function. Nanna v. Vil. of McArthur, 335 N.E.2d 712 (Ohio App.).
     See also: Disciplinary Appeals.