Head

Plaintiff Eddie L. Head, a San Diego County Deputy Marshal, appeals a judgment denying his petition for a writ of mandate requiring defendants San Diego County Civil Service Commission, the County of San Diego and Michael Sgobba, San Diego County Marshal (collectively the County), to provide Head an administrative appeal of Sgobba’s decision to remove him from the position of field training officer. He contends he is entitled to appeal his removal to the civil service commission under the County’s civil service rules. We agree and, accordingly, reverse the judgment.

Factual and Procedural Background

Head is employed by the County of San Diego as a deputy marshal. In September 1992 Head was assigned to the position of field training officer. Head was paid a “premium” of $30 over his regular salary each pay period as compensation for the additional duties he performed as a field training officer.

On April 26, 1993, Sgobba issued Head a “Notice of Intention to Remove From Training Officer Position” and a “Proposed Order of Removal From Training Officer Position.” These documents notified Head that Sgobba intended to remove him from his position as a field training officer…