Case ID: so2d_330/html/0866-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM. CROSS, Judge", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Robert K. PAQUIN et al., Appellants, v. CITY OF LIGHTHOUSE POINT, a municipal corporation under the laws of Florida, and L. W. Quick, as Chief of Police of the City of Lighthouse Point, Appellees.
    No. 75-2.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
    April 23, 1976.
    Rehearing Denied May 19, 1976.
    Harry G. Carratt of Morgan, Carratt & O’Connor, Fort Lauderdale, for appellants.
    Richard H. Roth, Pompano Beach, for appellees.
   PER CURIAM.

Upon consideration of the briefs, oral argument and the record on appeal we are of the opinion that the appellants were improperly'classified as “employees” of the appellee-city which classification resulted in the unauthorized termination of their employment as policemen. The law recognizes that the status of a policeman 'is that of an “officer” rather than an “employee”. Maudsley v. City of North Lauderdale, Fla.App. 4th 1974, 300 So.2d 304. Given the absence of a provision in the appellee-city’s charter controlling removal of municipal officers, appellants should have been discharged from employment pursuant to the provisions of the general law then in existence, i.e., section 165.18, F.S. See also Burklin v. Willis, Fla.App. 1st 1957, 97 So.2d 129.

The remaining points raised on appeal need not be discussed in light of our decision. Accordingly, the final judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings consistent herewith.

REVERSED.

WALDEN, C. J., and MAGER, J., concur.

CROSS, J., dissents, with opinion.

CROSS, Judge

(dissenting).

I respectfully dissent.

It is my opinion that appellants were employees of appellee-city for the purpose of termination of their employment under the city charter. As such, no reversible error was demonstrated by their discharge. I would affirm the final judgment herein appealed.