Opinion ID: 1902661
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Balancing Analysis

Text: [¶ 23] Because the balance we must strike here is driven entirely by the individual facts of this case, we must again consider the importance of the public speech at issue before completing the analysis. If the speech for which Moen seeks protection had been directly related to a violation of Pouliot's public trust in providing law enforcement services, the balance might well be different. See id. ([A] stronger showing may be necessary if the employee's speech more substantially involve[s] a matter of public concern.) The importance of Moen's speech, however, did not outweigh the Town's interest in the efficient and effective fulfillment of its public responsibilities. Although we have concluded that his speech involved a matter of public concern because of its connection to the MLRA's goals, Moen's speech did not occur in a public setting, did not relate to a violation of the police department's responsibilities to the public, did not advance any other public interests, and was motivated in part by the private employment interests of the Fairfield Police Department's union employees. [¶ 24] Having considered the interests at stake, we conclude, as did the motion court, that the Town's interest in providing effective and efficient law enforcement outweighed Moen's public speech interest in encouraging secret taping in order to uncover possible MLRA violations. Cf. Breuer, 909 F.2d at 1039-42 (county's interest in providing effective and efficient law enforcement outweighs deputy sheriffs interest in accusing sheriff of favoritism and stealing county property); McMurphy v. City of Flushing, 802 F.2d 191, 196-99 (6th Cir.1986) (city's interest in providing effective and efficient law enforcement services outweighs police officer's interest in accusing, threatening, and disparaging his superior officers concerning their alleged incompetence and criminal conduct). Moen's conversations with the other officers were therefore not entitled to the protection of the First Amendment. The court committed no error in granting summary judgment to the Town on Moen's free speech claim. [8] The entry is: Judgment affirmed.