Director of Finance v. Alford

Fearing civil disorders of one kind or another the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City, a day or two prior to 3 April 1969 (the first anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King), issued a memorandum placing the entire department on a five-day “10-10 Alert,” beginning at 12:01 a.m. on 3 April. During this period policemen, whether on leave or simply “off duty,” were required “to keep themselves available” to be called back “on emergency status.” In the early evening of 3 April a number of men, including the appellee (Alford), were notified by telephone to report for duty as…