Friday, August 2, 2013

In Case You Missed It - CMPD airport officer sues city over termination

A man who became a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer when the department took over control of the city’s airport last year is suing the department, claiming he deserves a civil service board hearing in connection with his termination in June.

Dominick Mazzeo’s lawsuit says he’s been a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer assigned to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport since his date of hire on May 30, 2007. He was fired on June 14, according to court documents obtained by the Observer.

Most CMPD officers who are cited for termination can appeal to the Civil Service Board, a group of civilians who can overturn or amend police disciplinary decisions. But officers who have been on the job for less than a year are considered probationary and can’t petition the board.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department assumed policing duties at the airport in December, essentially absorbing the airport’s 40-person police staff. According to the lawsuit, police believe that means Mazzeo is an employee with less than a year on the job who can’t appeal his firing.

CMPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment about this story. But in correspondence with Mazzeo’s attorney attached to the lawsuit, a letter from the department’s attorney says Mazzeo became a “sworn officer” in Dec. 2012. “On the date of his termination, June 14, 2013, he was still subject to the police department’s 12-month probationary period,” the letter says.

In a letter to the police department, Mazzeo’s attorney, George Laughrun contends that Mazzeo shouldn’t be treated as a probationary employee.

“Dominick did not have a choice when the airport was “taken over” by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department,” the letter says.

The department assumed responsibility for security at the airport after a review of security last year that was undertaken in the wake of the Devonte Tisdale stowaway case.

Tisdale, a high school student, breached airport security and climbed inside the wheel well of a US Airways jet bound for Boston in November 2010. When the plane approached Boston, Tisdale’s body fell from the plane as the landing gear was lowered.


Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/31/4204234/cmpd-airport-officer-sues-city.html#storylink=cpy

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lot of questions but let's start with the obvious, what'd he do?

Anonymous said...

Not sure but sgt Wilson said it was BS and took up for him. Then again not sure that is the best source to go by

Anonymous said...

It is BS... Everyone knows CMPD is trying to do a little "house cleaning" to make room for THEIR officers. They don't give a damn about the 40+ officers at the AP, they just want the AP. Why else do you think they are making us all "re-apply" for our own jobs?!!

Anonymous said...

Does the FOP have anything to say about this?

Anonymous said...

The FOP has known about this entire situation involving the airport police since it started and have been about as helpful as tits on a boar hog.

Anonymous said...

so why don't FOP members get up and vote in new Board, then require yourselves to do something? Where are the members in this (that means YOU)

Anonymous said...

WOW... this is such a shame. I worked with him in Huntersville. He's a good & hard working officer. Sounds like a which hunt to me.

Anonymous said...

I know this guy and what happened. What he did or didn't do is something that an officer normally doesn't get terminated for. Maybe a day off even if that. He is a good officer and it's a shame he was fed to the wolves. It seems like this always happens to the good ones. When it's all over he will either be reinstated or paid $$$. The brass really didn't think this one through.

Anonymous said...

The entire situation at the airport is such a political nightmare and a joke. EVERYTHING that is going on is about the player's egos and who can mark their territory first!

Anonymous said...

When things like this happen to officers like Mazzeo it isn't surprising.If you are not in the inner circle, or are in the way of someone who is you can be targeted and made to look like you can't do your job. That is NOT out of the question in fact its business as usual at the airport. Many officers have barely been reprimanded for very serious actions but if you are part of the "club" then somehow its not only overlooked but hidden.
Good for Officer Mazzeo standing up for himself. The powers that be seem to think they can do whatever the hell they want without any consequences. Karma has to come back around and bite you in the ass sometime.

Anonymous said...

The issue with Officer Mazzeo is not what he allegedly did, but his rights as a City of Charlotte police officer with years on the job. The way that airport officers have been treated is at best deplorable and at worst illegal. The lies, misrepresentations, rumors, lack of leadership and general cluster created by the CMPD brass are unbelievable. For Mazzeo, and many others who have chosen not to take this lying down, they will prevail and everyone in Charlotte will see just how poorly and unfairly these officers have been treated.

Anonymous said...

Wish the media would cover the lapse in security now that CMPD has taken over... I love how they spin it, Oh, CMPD has taken over... they make it seem like its better for the traveling public... Oh, if they only knew...

Anonymous said...

Rights as a CMPD employee, there are no rights. They seem to be untouchable regarding who they fire, who they run off, and who they keep on the payroll. Seems they are always looking for a scapegoat for something. I guess if they keep firing people they can blame those that are gone and avoid taking responsibility for what is actually wrong

Anonymous said...

1:01 If what you're saying is true, you have an absolute duty to come forward and report the dangerous condition or issue or personnel to the public in some fashion and continue reporting it until it is exposed and corrected. If The chief is behind it then expose the chief. expose who or whatever is the problem.

for pete's sake, grow a spine.

quit waiting for someone else to solve your problems and pony up. want to sit around until you might get to retire and hope someone has a successful lawsuit before then? way to be a sworn upholder of the law

Anonymous said...

Ok, so just spoke with someone close to that officer and here is the latest...

He won his law suit, a superior court judge decided he was in fact entitles to a civil service hearing since he's been with the city for over 6 years. The city then files an appeal with the NC Court of Appeals. WTF??

My question is this... Why is the city so adamant to not see this officer get his hearing? Is it because they know the termination was horse shit and they know it'll be overturned? I wonder?? I am in agreement with the officers I have spoke with out at the AP that CMPD is doing some "hatchet work" and getting rid of the officers to make room for their own.