Lawsuit Challenges San Diego Fire and Police Vaccine Mandate

A lawsuit challenging a COVID19 vaccine mandate for San Diego firefighters and police officers has been filed in San Diego County Superior Court. The suit was filed by SDFD Captain Justus Norgord, two police officers and a private non-profit, Protection of the Educational Rights of Kids.

The suit alleges that the vaccine mandate is “ultra vires”(a legal term that means it is beyond the authority of city to enact), that it violates California’s state constitution, and that enforcing the mandate would violate the due process rights of the firefighters and police officers who would be suspended. In conjunction with the due process argument, the suit alleges enforcement would violate the California Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act and the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

Here is a copy of the complaint:

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
x

Check Also

NJ Court Upholds Officers Being in Same Bargaining Unit as Firefighters

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a ruling of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission concluding that lieutenants can be included with firefighters in a collective bargaining unit. The case involved a challenge brought by the Borough of Carteret seeking to separate lieutenants from the rank-and-file firefighters.

New Hampshire Firefighter Claims He Was Sexually Harassed

A New Hampshire firefighter who resigned last December after enduring what he claims was years of sexually harassing comments and retaliation is now suing his former employer. Christopher R. Golomb filed suit against the City of Concord last month in Merrimack County Superior Court.