State ex rel. Campbell v. Board of Police Commissioners

We are satisfied with the conclusion reached by the court of appeals, viz., that the board could not remove Campbell, the chief of police, except for cause. The statute requires the board, when it appoints a chief, to fix the term for which he shall hold the office, and provides that he can only be removed for cause; and the board cannot evade the latter provision, either by neglecting or purposely omitting, to determine the period for which he shall hold the office. To concede to the board such authority would enable them to designate a term of office not warranted by the law, by appointing…