Court Opinion

ID: 9522685
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 02:30:52.152545+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:03:37.944783
License: Public Domain

OPINION CONCURRING IN PART: DISSENTING IN PART
Hoffman, J.
I concur in the opinion as to.all the appellants-except Raymond Warzyniak, former chief of police. Under Indiana statutes the mayor of Whiting has the power to appoint a chief of .the police department. The chief of police serves at the will of the mayor. The mayor may replace the chief at any time without stating a reason or affording a hearing. Neither state statutes or city ordinances of the City of Whiting make any provisions for demoting the chief. He cannot be removed from *403the force except by bringing charges and after a proper hearing as provided by city ordinances and state statutes. Therefore, the former chief may be demoted to any rank within the department without reason or affording a hearing.
The majority opinion is indulging in judicial legislation by writing into the city ordinance by judicial fiat a provision not enacted by the legislative body of the city (city council). Whether a mayor wishes to squander the resources of a former police chief is entirely within his province and since there is no city ordinance or state statute providing otherwise the same should be unhampered and left to the judgment of the mayor. I would therefore reverse as to all appellants except Raymond Warzyniak who’s cause should be affirmed.
NOTE — Reported at 379 N.E.2d 997.