Opinion ID: 895199
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appeal of a Suspension

Text: If a classified officer is involuntarily suspended, the officer may appeal the suspension to either the commission or an independent third party hearing examiner. TEX. LOC. GOV'T CODE § 143.057(a). If appeal is to a hearing examiner, the examiner has the same duties and powers as the commission. Id. § 143.057(f). The ultimate decision options of the commission and hearing examinerare specified in Section 143.053: (e) In its decision, the commission shall state whether the suspended fire fighter or police officer is: (1) permanently dismissed from the fire or police department; (2) temporarily suspended from the department; or (3) restored to the person's former position or status in the department's classified service. (f) If the commission finds that the period of disciplinary suspension should be reduced, the commission may order a reduction in the period of suspension. Id. § 143.053(e)-(f). Officers appointed and serving in positions immediately below the department head, as Kelley was, do not have civil service protection. Id. § 143.021(b). Nevertheless, if an officer serving in such a position is indefinitely suspended, the Act affords that officer the same rights to a hearing that a classified officer would have: (h) If a person appointed under this section is charged with an offense in violation of civil service rules and indefinitely suspended by the department head, the person has the same rights and privileges of a hearing before the commission in the same manner and under the same conditions as a classified employee. If the commission, a hearing examiner, or a court of competent jurisdiction finds the charges to be untrue or unfounded, the person shall immediately be restored to the same classification, or its equivalent, that the person held before appointment. The person has all the rights and privileges of the prior position according to seniority, and shall be repaid for any lost wages. Id. § 143.014(h) (emphasis added). In addition to providing for the right to a hearing, Section 143.014(h) specifies what decision the hearing examiner must render if charges against the officer are found to be untrue: the officer must be restored to the same or an equivalent classification as the position the officer held before being appointed to the position just below department head. The section thus provides the limit of a hearing officer's jurisdiction if the examiner finds the charges to be untrue, but it does not specify what decisions can be rendered if the charges are found to be true. In contrast, Sections 143.053(e) and (f) specify the decisions that a hearing examiner may render and necessarily establish the hearing examiner's jurisdiction when the charges against an officer are found to be true. First, the suspended officer may be dismissed from the department. Id. § 143.053(e)(1). Second, the officer may be temporarily suspended. Id. § 143.053(e)(2). Third, the officer may be restored to the officer's former position or status in the department's classified service. Id. § 143.053(e)(3). The Act specifies that if the examiner finds the period of disciplinary suspension should be reduced, the examiner may reduce it. Id. § 143.053(f). Further, if the examiner's decision is that the officer is not to be suspended or dismissed, then the only choice left to the examiner is for the officer to be restored to the officer's former position or status in the department's classified service, and the officer is entitled to wages and benefits for the actual time lost as a result of the suspension. Id.