Compton Police Officers Ass'n v. City of Compton

Good Law
55 F. App'x 482
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitJanuary 31, 2003No. 01-57115; D.C. No. CY-00-10441-WJRCalifornia329 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

The Compton Police Officers Association, Eddie Aguirre, Marvin E. Bran-scomb, Tim Brennan, and Robert B. Ladd appeal from the district court’s order granting summary judgment. This appeal arises from the City of Compton’s decision to disband its police department and contract police services from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, and the discipline of Officers Aguirre, Branscomb, and Ladd. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Mayor Bradley enjoys absolute legislative immunity for his vote to disband Compton’s police department. His vote was a “quintessentially legislative” act that reflected “a discretionary, policymaking decision implicating the budgetary priorities of the city and the services the city provides to its constituents.” Bogan v. Scottr-Hams, 523 U.S. 44, 55-56 , 118 S.Ct. 966 , 140 L.Ed.2d 79 (1998); see also Bechard v. Rappold, 287 F.3d 827, 829 (9th Cir.2002) (“[T]he decision to eliminate a position for budgetary reasons is clearly legislative.”).

Mayor Bradley and Police Chief Allen both enjoy qualified immunity from suit with respect to the discipline of the officers for insubordination in failing to leave…

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