State Ex Rel. Warzyniak v. Grenchik

Upon the installation of the new mayor, the City of Whiting’s Police Department was reorganized. Police officers in positions ranging from Chief to Sergeant were demoted to the rank of Patrolman, with commensurate reductions in salary. The trial court denied their request for relief. We hold that a municipal ordinance provided each policeman with a legitimate claim of entitlement to continued employment in his particular position. Because the city of Whiting improperly demoted appellant policemen, in violation of due process, we reverse.

On January 1,1976, appellant policemen were demoted to…