Articles

Civil Litigation

COURT REINSTATES THE DEMOTED RANKS OF TWO MANCHESTER COPS

A Toms River Court voiced a Manchester Township ordinance as unconstitutional.

The ordinance, which resulted in the demoted ranks of two police officers, stated that all municipal employees who receive promotions were on a probationary period for one year, and could therefore be dismissed at the pleasure of the mayor.

Michael Hobbie represented two veteran Manchester police officers demoted in rank before completing their probationary period under the township ordinance. Mike argues that the demotions were in retaliation for an October vote of no confidence in the Police Chief, who had previously name in a suit by two other officers accusing him of racial and gender bias. The Court’s ruling gave the two officers their promoted ranks back.