Opinion ID: 1999776
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Date of reinstatement.

Text: A dispute exists as to the length of the period over which the sheriff owes Schilling back pay. There is no dispute that the date of suspension was September 14, 1970. September 16, 1971, the attorney for Schilling wrote to the sheriff requesting reinstatement of Schilling. October 14, 1971, the sheriff replied and advised that Schilling could be reinstated to active duty effective October 18, 1971. October 16, 1971, the attorney for Schilling wrote to the sheriff and advised that Schilling could report for duty on October 25, 1971, due to his absence from the city. October 19, 1971, the sheriff wrote to Schilling and advised that Schilling would be reinstated to the payroll as soon as he could report, but would not be given a duty assignment. He would earn his pay by reporting to the day-shift commander at the department at 9 a. m. on each duty day for the purpose of affirming his availability for duty, commencing October 25, 1971, until such time as the district attorney's office completed a pending investigation of possible criminal charges against Schilling. Among other things, it was asserted that the district attorney's office wanted to complete its study of a recent grand jury investigation. [4] Schilling refused to accept those terms. November 19, 1971, he reported to the sheriff's department and was reinstated to the payroll and given a duty assignment. The sheriff maintains that his liability for back pay terminated as of the date he offered to reinstate Schilling to the payroll, October 25, 1971. Schilling insists that the date of effective reinstatement was November 19, 1971. The record does not indicate that the sheriff abandoned (in the trial court) his position as to the October 25, 1971, date. His return to the alternative writ of mandamus, wherein he alleges Schilling's refusal to accept the earlier date of reinstatement to the payroll, negates the abandonment contention of Schilling. The sheriff was confronted with a difficult problem. His resolution thereof was not unreasonable. Schilling was entitled to be reinstated following the decision of the circuit court. However, there was a possibility of criminal charges being placed against him, and, therefore, the sheriff was responsible for the internal integrity of his department. The sheriff resolved this issue by offering to place Schilling on the payroll effective October 25, 1971, but indicated that Schilling would not be given a duty assignment until the district attorney had decided whether to file criminal charges against Schilling. The sheriff indicated that Schilling would be given a duty assignment following the district attorney's decision not to file criminal charges. This could have occurred at any time. The sheriff's request that Schilling present himself each day to the day-shift commander to indicate his availability for work was not unreasonable. The embarrassment this may have caused Schilling is outweighed by the need of internal integrity within the law enforcement agency. The effective date of termination of the sheriff's liability for back pay was October 25, 1971, the date Schilling refused reinstatement to the payroll. It is necessary that the cause be remanded to the trial court for further proceedings so that the trial court can make findings as to the amount of back pay due petitioner in accordance with this opinion. By the Court. Judgment reversed and cause remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Neither party shall tax costs on this appeal.