Ron Hittle v. City of Stockton
Published: Mar. 17, 2012 | Result Date: Feb. 1, 2012 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 39-2011-00262021-CU-OE-STK Bench Decision – Defense
Court
San Joaquin Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Erich W. Shiners
(Renne Sloan Holtzman & Sakai LLP)
Facts
Fire Chief Ron Hittle sought a declaration that he retained civil service protections after voters amended the City Charter to make the Fire Chief an "at will" employee. Hittle argued that, because he was appointed Fire Chief before voters passed the Charter amendment, the amendment did not apply to him. After the City terminated his employment, Hittle amended the complaint to further allege that the City Charter gave him the right to return to a Battalion Chief position upon his removal as Fire Chief.
Result
The court ruled in favor of the City, finding that the Charter amendment made Hittle an "at will" employee and that he did not have the right to return to a Battalion Chief position.
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