Police Chief Not Responsible for Officers' Feud
by
Joseph C. Maya on Apr. 28, 2017
Accident & Injury Accident & Injury Personal Injury Lawsuit & Dispute Lawsuit
Summary: Blog about a police chief that was not held responsible for the injuries of an officer under his command sustained in an altercation with another officer.
Contact the personal injury attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. today. We can help you get the just compensation you deserve for your injuries or those of a loved one. For a free initial consultation, call 203-221-3100 or email JMaya@Mayalaw.com.
A police officer sued the chief of police for personal injuries relating to a physical altercation. The officer alleges that the chief of police was negligent in his responsibility for the efficiency, discipline and conduct of the department. In law, negligence is the failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another. On June 9, 1995, the police officer was involved in a physical altercation with another officer in the parking lot of a Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Hartford, Connecticut. The other officer held the position of police sergeant, and was the direct supervisor of the police officer bringing this claim. The altercation occurred after the officers’ shift. Several alcoholic beverages were consumed by both officers. The police chief appealed to the state Supreme Court.
The Connecticut Supreme Court concluded in favor of the police chief. The police chief had no special relationship with either officer so as to make him responsible for their actions. The court found that, although the police chief has important responsibilities, it does not “impose an affirmative obligation on the part of [the police chief] to enforce the code of conduct’s provisions.” In other words, the police chief did not have a legal duty to control the conduct of the sergeant officer.
At Maya Murphy, P.C., our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to achieving the best results for individuals and their family members and loved ones whose daily lives have been disrupted by injury, whether caused by a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident, a slip and fall, medical malpractice, a defective product, or otherwise. Our attorneys are not afraid to aggressively pursue and litigate cases and have extensive experience litigating personal injury matters in both state and federal courts, and always with regard to the unique circumstances of our client and the injury he or she has sustained.
Please contact Joseph C. Maya, Esq., at 203-221-3100, or at JMaya@mayalaw.com, to schedule a free consultation.
Source: Murdock v. Croughwell, 268 Conn. 559, 2004 Conn. LEXIS 165 (Conn. Oct. 23, 2003)