Police-Fire

The Connecticut PIO who has charged with violating Joshua’s law on photo-taking by first responders, has filed suit against a police lieutenant, a Connecticut State Trooper and the Town of Montville alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil rights violation actionable through 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Read More »

Criminal charges against a Connecticut firefighter for violating an emergency scene photo-taking law, have been dismissed. Steven Frischling, the public information officer for the Chesterfield Fire Company, was charged in 2021 with violating Joshua’s Law.

Read More »

It seems like each week I am only able to scratch the surface of the fire law news. This week is no exception, but I wanted to point out two additional noteworthy cases. The first involves the settlement of the city’s portion of the Kansas City, Missouri fatal apparatus accident case. The second case involves another firefighter being arrested while engaged in the performance of his duties by an overzealous cop.

Read More »

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 7, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss a $32 Million award against a Kansas City firefighter personally for causing a crash that killed three people last December, discipline for two Denver firefighter ...

Read More »

A professional standards investigation by the Rochester Police Department has recommended that a police officer who handcuffed an EMT last July face disciplinary charges. Investigator Charles LoTiempo will remain on suspended-with-pay status while the disciplinary process plays out.

Read More »

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for July 25, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss the filing of two more AFFF-related toxic tort suits; the settlement of a lawsuit in Stamford , Connecticut challenging the promotional process as violating merit ...

Read More »

A three-judge panel from the Texas 14th Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341 in their ongoing battle over the constitutionality of a pay-parity referendum enacted by voters in 2018.

Read More »

A Georgia fire chief who was terminated last year after refusing to resign, has filed suit naming the City of Monroe, the city manager and the police chief as defendants. Fire Chief William Owens filed suit accusing the city of violating his constitutional rights, illegally intercepting electronic communications in violation of Georgia law, whistleblower retaliation, and invasion of privacy.

Read More »

An Ohio firefighter who resigned in May following allegations he was involved in conducting drugs transactions at work, has filed suit against a county drug task force seeking the return of improperly seized personal items. Former Liberty Township Lieutenant Josh Cleland filed suit against the Mahoning County Drug Task Force.

Read More »

The 7th Circuit has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against a Chicago fire captain and a police sergeant by a man who was arrested after responders forced entry into his apartment. Earl Conner filed suit against Fire Captain James Mason and Sergeant Christopher Vacek.

Read More »

A black Illinois fire lieutenant who was acquitted of arson charges last year for a 2015 fire has filed suit in US District Court alleging that state and local investigators fabricated evidence and tried to frame him. Lt. Samuel Wilson of the Country Club Hills Fire Department was charged with setting fire to a sports bar in Sauk Village.

Read More »

It appears we have not heard the end of the Pennsylvania Police-Fire War that erupted a few weeks ago. Recall on September 29, 2019, Goodwill Fire Co. Lieutenant Mike Naylor got into an altercation with Pennsylvania State Troopers at the scene of a single vehicle accident with entrapment on Rt. I-83.

Read More »

An altercation between a Pennsylvania fire lieutenant and a state trooper at the scene of an accident on Sunday led to a brief detention of the lieutenant, but no criminal charges as of yet. Lt. Mike Naylor of the Goodwill Fire Co. from York Township was handcuffed but later released following a disagreement over the breaking of glass to access the passenger compartment of a crashed vehicle.

Read More »

Cedar Falls Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters Local 1366, filed suit last week in Black Hawk County District Court to block the city’s attempt to promote 9 police officers into newly created positions of authority within the fire department.

Read More »