Lafayette, LA — A former Lafayette police union leader lost his bid to overturn a lower court’s ruling, which found him tardy in filing a lawsuit that challenged alleged infringements on his First Amendment rights. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decided on November 19 against the former union president, who had taken legal action against various city and police officials.
The plaintiff in the case was the previous head of the Police Association of Lafayette #905, identified as Stanley. He initiated a federal lawsuit against several former interim police chiefs—including Scott Morgan, Wayne Griffin, Thomas Glover, and Monte Potier—as well as the Lafayette Consolidated Government and the Lafayette Fire and Police Civil Service Board.
Stanley initially faced suspension and reassignment following his Facebook posts in May 2020 on the union’s account. The posts expressed disapproval of a legislative bill that modified the criteria for police promotions in smaller cities within the parish, advocating for chiefs’ input over seniority alone. The second post detailed a traffic incident handled by Lafayette Police, resulting in an arrest alongside the seizure of drugs and money.
An internal investigation by the department prompted an order for Stanley to serve a 14-day suspension. Compounded by the stress from these proceedings, Stanley took a year-long medical leave before the suspension could be enforced, which eventually took effect upon his return. Furthermore, his responsibilities were permanently altered as he was removed from the K-9 unit.
Although the civil service board ultimately reduced his suspension to three days, it upheld his job transfer. In response, Stanley sued, citing violations of his right to free speech under the First Amendment.
However, timing proved critical in the appeals court’s decision. It determined that Stanley filed his lawsuit three days beyond the one-year deadline, which started when Stanley was first notified of the disciplinary actions against him on June 11, 2021. Filing the lawsuit on June 14, 2022, Stanley missed the strict timeframe set for launching such legal challenges.
This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to legal deadlines in pursuing judicial relief for grievances involving employment and constitutional rights. Legal analysts point out that this case serves as a reminder of the critical nature of such timelines, which often prove just as pivotal as the substance of the disputes themselves.
The case also illustrates the complexities and potential repercussions of public employees expressing controversial opinions, especially through social media platforms. This domain remains a challenging landscape for navigating the boundaries of employee rights and organizational policies.
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