Judge denies appeal from City

After a long, tumultuous, legal battle in which several Waco officers were accused of double dipping with their timesheets involving extra jobs with the Waco Housing Authority, CLEAT and WPA emerged victorious after the City refused to abide by the rulings and appealed to district court. 

The two final cases involving Sgt. Peter Mottley and Officer Calvin McLean, in which the appeals were rendered in favor of the officers, marks the final chapter that had garnered constant media attention, criticism and debate. There were times when the battle was thought to be over after the cases were ruled in the officers' favor. However, the City continually appealed each decision. The last two decisions in which the officers were re-instated to their positions with back pay should be the final rulings. 

After being on the force for more than 13 years with no previous disciplinary issues, Officer McLean, along with several other officers, Mottley included, was given an indifinite suspension for allegedly submitting incorrect timesheets for his second job with the WHA. 

"This has been a very difficult process for not only me, but also for my family," said McLean. "I would have never made it this far in the legal process if CLEAT and WPA had not been there to step in and fight for me." 

In McLean's case, the hearing examiner rendered a final judgement in his favor in which he was ordered to be permanently restored to his former position along with full compensation for the time lost. His suspension was also reduced to 15 days. 

CLEAT Attorney Janice Joseph, who represented the Waco officers, argued that not only was the City not able to prove all charges brought against them, but that other officers who allegedly commited the same offense received different treatment than that of McLean and Mottley. 

Shortly after the judgment was made public, the City's appeal in the case of Mottley was also denied.

The examiner found that, "it was inappropriate for the Department to punish Officer McLean for conduct that its own supervisors and the supervisor at the WHA sanctioned. The Department's decision to indefinitely suspend McLean cannot be sustained while other similarly-situated officers and supervisors walked away esentially unscathed."  

WPA seeks support for officer injured in line of duty 

Or, use PayPal to donate to Officer Navarro right now.

(Posted: Sept. 23, 2010) The Waco Police Association and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas are asking the citizens of Waco to make donations to injured veteran police Officer Ruben Navarro who is being denied benefits from the City of Waco.

"If the City of Waco won't take care of its own police officers who are injured in the line of duty, then perhaps the citizens won't mind making a contribution to him and his family so they can pay bills and buy groceries," said CLEAT President Todd Harrison, an Austin Police sergeant.
WPA has set up a special fund as part of its officer benevolence fund at the Waco Federal Credit Union. Citizens wishing to donate should make the donation in the name of Officer Navarro. The WFCU is located at 826 North 3rd Street in Waco. For information on making a contribution to Officer Navarro, call (254) 753-0361.

After nearly 22 years of faithful service as a Waco police officer, Navarro will receive his last paycheck two days before his next scheduled hearing to determine benefits from the Texas Workers Compensation Commission.

"I just don't understand why I am being treated this way," said Navarro, who was injured by a motorized gate while on duty on Oct. 7, 2007. 

Navarro received a letter from City Manager Larry Groth detailing the end of his benefits and effectively, ending his career as a police officer. (See the Letter)

"If Officer Navarro had been able to remain employed for eight more days, he would have served 22 years in the Waco Police Department," Harrison said. "This is just no way to treat a veteran police officer who has risked his life many times over the years to help make Waco a safer place to live and work." 

See Article below from the Waco Tribune-Herald. (Click images to enlarge in new window.)