Document: 543 U.S. 77 CITY OF SAN DIEGO ET AL.v.ROE No. 03-1669. Supreme Court of United States. Decided December 6, 2004. Respondent Roe brought suit alleging, inter alia, that his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to freedom speech were violated when the city San Diego (City) terminated employment as a police officer, for selling paraphernalia videotapes himself engaging in sexually explicit acts. A Federal District granted City's motion dismiss, Ninth Circuit reversed, holding Roe's conduct fell within protected category citizen commentary on matters public concern. Held: The City was not barred from terminating Roe. While government employer may impose restraints employee speech, employees have right speak concern, typically those concerning policies interest at large, see Connick v. Myers, 461 U. S. 138; Pickering Board Ed. Township High School Dist. 205, Will Cty., 391 563. And they or write their own time topic unrelated employment, can protection, absent governmental justification "far stronger than mere speculation" regulating it. States Treasury Employees, 513 454, 465, 475 (NTEU). case falls outside protection afforded by NTEU. Although activities took place workplace purported be about subjects related department demonstrated its legitimate substantial interests compromised deliberate steps link videos other wares work. Instead, is governed Pickering, which established balancing test reconcile an employee's engage employer's protect concerns, Connick, set out threshold determining merited. Because expression does qualify matter concern this Court's cases understood term, he fails Pickering's come into play. Certiorari granted; 356 F.3d 1108, reversed. ON PETITION FOR CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT APPEALS NINTH CIRCUIT. PER CURIAM. 1 (City), petitioner here, respondent, made activity. tapes showed respondent among things, termination speech. Southern California dismiss. Appeals 2 petition writ certiorari granted, judgment 3 * John Roe, video showing stripping off uniform masturbating. He sold adults-only section eBay, popular online auction site. His user name "Code3stud@aol.com," word play high priority radio call. 1110 (CA9 2004). apparently specific worn police, but it clearly identifiable uniform. also custom videos, well equipment, including official uniforms Police Department (SDPD), various items such men's underwear. eBay profile identified him employed field law enforcement. 4 supervisor, sergeant, discovered when, while came across SDPD sale offered individual with user-name "Code3stud@aol.com." searched Code3stud listings depicting objectionable material. Recognizing picture, sergeant printed images certain offerings shared them others chain command, captain. captain notified SDPD's internal affairs department, began investigation. In response request undercover produced video. It again uniform, issuing traffic citation revoking after undoing 5 investigation revealed policies, unbecoming immoral conduct. When confronted, admitted paraphernalia. ordered "cease displaying, manufacturing, distributing any materials similar behaviors, via internet, Mail, commercial vendors distributors, medium available public." Id., 1111 (internal quotation marks omitted). removed some had sale, did change seller's profile, described first two listed prices videos. After discovering failure follow orders, SDPD—citing added violation disobedience lawful orders—began proceedings. proceedings resulted dismissal force. 6 pursuant Rev. Stat. § 1979, 42 C. 1983, alleging free granting decided producing, marketing, profit qualified relating "public concern" under decision 138 (1983). 7 reversing, held Central Appeals' conclusion grievance, duty away premises, employment. F.3d, 1110, 1113-1114. II 8 relinquish all otherwise enjoyed citizens just reason her See, e. g., Keyishian Regents Univ. State N. Y., 385 589, 605-606 (1967). On hand, employees, would unconstitutional if applied general public. has recognized are subject uniquely comment. See supra; 563 (1968). Outside category, topics (1995) We little difficulty concluding either line cases. 9 relied heavily 1117. NTEU no effect mission purpose employer. question whether Government could monetary limitations earnings speaking writing class federal employees. that, particular classification shown salary limitations. sufficed invalidate restrictions activities. noted throughout history who undertook spare contributions literature art, S., observed none issue "even arguably [had] adverse impact" employer, ibid. 10 reliance seriously misplaced. Far confining work, way injurious use enforcement reference Web site, listing speaker "in enforcement," debased parody officer performing indecent acts course duties professionalism officers serious disrepute. F. 3d, 11 conceded "unrelated" 1112, n. 4. context pleadings arguments, proper interpretation statement simply underscore obvious proposition comment workings functioning SDPD. quite different detrimental score consistent position been contrary regulations harmful present authorities instead control, considered below, decisions supra, them. B 12 To mission, adopted test. requires court evaluating balance "the [employee], citizen, commenting upon State, promoting efficiency services performs through employees." 568; 142. 13 Underlying recognition often members community likely informed opinions operations employers, Were able these matters, deprived important issues. 572. stake much public's receiving opinion disseminate 14 hold statements entitled balancing. require every where issue, content compromise offices. 143. This prompted explain inquiry (implicit itself) order merit balancing, must touch concern." 143 15 assistant district attorney, unhappy supervisor's transfer another division, circulated intraoffice questionnaire. document solicited co-workers' views on, office policy, morale, need grievance committees, level confidence supervisors, felt pressured work political campaigns. id., 141. 16 Finding that—with exception final question—the questionnaire touched grievances, required. conclude ignore "common-sense realization offices function became constitutional matter." only speaks "as rather personal interest." 147. 17 boundaries defined, provides guidance. directs courts examine "content, form, given statement, whole record" assessing addresses 146-147. addition, notes standard same used determine common-law action invasion privacy present. 143, 5. That our Cox Broadcasting Corp. Cohn, 420 469 (1975), Time, Inc. Hill, 374, 387-388 These make clear something news interest; is, value publication. private remarks, negative comments President States, should thus Rankin McPherson, 483 378 (1987). 18 Applying principles instant case, there view 19 controlling precedent, show why close instructive note even expressed dissent four Members Court, here definition entirety "discussed reasonably expected persons seeking develop manner . elected charged managing vital agency, discharges responsibilities." 163 (opinion Brennan, J.). No attributed case. nothing inform aspect operation. Nor anything like remarks Rankin, one co-worker commented item news. widely broadcast, linked status designed exploit image. 20 functions There basis finding term entities 21 Reversed.

Category: 2