Friend v. Valentine

The question presented is whether an eligible list, having the same title as the position to be filled in the municipal civil service, may be disregarded under the circumstances of the present case.

Previous to 1939 it was usual in the New York city police department for sergeants to be employed on telephone switchboard duty, for the reason that instructions or orders could be given immediately to patrolmen reporting to the station house. It was then decided that a substantial economy would be effected by replacing these members of the -uniformed force with men who would perform such duties…