What would you do?

[podunk cop]

recently Resigned from my police officer position to move back to my home state.

I typed that in CAPS because my agency is stating that I was FIRED :mad:

- the reason is simple. I signed a contract upon being hired to stay a year and a half. I resigned the day after the contract was up-

I have documentation proving my resignation. I had no idea that they were telling people I was fired.

As I applied in my home state, I was getting interviews, and in some towns conditional offers. Then I would not get the job. Confused, I thought it was just because of the competitive job market.

Finally, a chief told me what was going on. He informed me of this situation. After a series of interviews, and a review of many documents I was hired.

Here are the Questions. What would you do in this situation? Is this legal for an employer to do this? I am happy just being employed, but my family is suggesting getting a lawyer.

Thank you and stay safe.

[Group9]

If you can document and prove all of these facts, you have one whopper of a lawsuit.

[podunk cop]

If you can document and prove all of these facts, you have one whopper of a lawsuit.

thank you group 9
yeah, I have the documents. I was just the theory for lawsuits for monetary gain. If I were to sue it would be for the principle not for any money.

I wasn't sure if anyone had known of or gone through this process.

[mcsap]

If you aren't after money, are you willing to spend your own money to prove a point ??

Now that you are hired, how were you financially damaged and if so , how much ?

I don't mean to demean you or to take the employers side but besides being upset ( don't blame you one bit, they played dirty) is it WORTH your time and money to go after them ?

[Group9]

The first cause of action that jumps out is defamation of character. It is not required in many states to show the dollar amount of harm to your reputation in order to recover when someone defames you. I know of one federal agent who had this done accidently to him by his former agency when they mistakenly stated in his file that he had been fired for being diagnosed with mental problems (he was actually terminated due to having become diabetic). The only place they published this information was to other agencies that this person applied to work for and to whom he had provided a medical informaton release to.

After he filed a federal tort claim against them, they settled his claim for $450,000 and gave him a medical waiver that allowed him to come back to his old position. Whether or not an attorney will take the case on a contigency fee is a good indicator of the strength and value of your case.

[podunk cop]

If you aren't after money, are you willing to spend your own money to prove a point ??

Now that you are hired, how were you financially damaged and if so , how much ?

I don't mean to demean you or to take the employers side but besides being upset ( don't blame you one bit, they played dirty) is it WORTH your time and money to go after them ?

mcsap, I do not feel demeaned at any way and thank you for wishing to make me feel comfortable. As for how damaged, I have been through the hiring process for a little over a year now, more emotional than financial damage.
This is exactly why I brought this topic up. I like to think and make others do the same.
The reasons why I think I might pursue this is the fact that I may want to work at another agency someday. I also feel that they shouldn't get away with this.

[podunk cop]

just wanted to bring this back to the 1st page to see if anyone else had any thoughts on this.

stay safe.

[daltrix]

What reason did they give for supposedly firing you?

[podunk cop]

conduct unbecoming of a police officer. - long story-

but lets say that i am sure i was teetering on the edge of the fence and i pissed people off and this pushed me over the fence.

see my start date and hire date were 2 different dates. appearantly i was going on the hire date[when i gave my notice] and the agency was going on the start date. i think it had to do with payroll and starting on a monday.
so since i was still technically on probation i was not covered by a union and under contract they could let me go for any reason.- a great time to find this out-

ALSO it turns out i spoke prematurely about being hired. i was told yes then a few weeks later i was told no. ahh yes the roller coaster of life.

ok so here's another question. if i decide to sue, (for saying i was fired when i resigned) do i get a lawyer from that state? or my state? how much does this cost? and is it worth the costs to only get passed by for another applicant who may have a cleaner record?


hey thank you to all, be safe.

[Switchback]

You go to your own lawyer. After you present your documentation and story, the lawyer willdetermine the validity of the case. IF they feel it is a strong case, they will probably do it on a contingency fee... meaning they will collect a percentage of the money in the event you win the lawsuit.

[podunk cop]

thank you switch back. hmm now to think of what type of lawyer. ill keep you posted.

[mcsap]

My personal opinon is that your "harm" that you can prove is tenous and to attach a dollar figure to it along with an out of state law suit just doesn't sound like it is worth your time and money.

But don't tkae my word for it, go get a free consult from a lawyer, I would be interested to know the advice he/she gives.