Patch v. Mayor of Revere

On April 29, 1985, a Superior Court judge denied the request of the plaintiff Revere police officers for an injunction against the mayor and the chief of police of Revere that would protect the plaintiffs against having to submit to polygraph examinations. The judge conditioned that order on the defendants’ complying with specific procedures. 3 The plaintiffs appealed from the judge’s order and asked him to stay the order pending appeal. He allowed the stay and reported each case to the Appeals Court. We granted the plaintiffs’ request for direct appellate review. 4

The facts seem not to be in…