Roslindale Motor Sales, Inc. v. Police Commr. of Boston

In late 1986, Roslindale Motor Sales, Inc. (Roslindale), applied to the police commissioner of Boston (commissioner) for renewal of its class 2 1 license to buy and sell used motor vehicles for the year 1987. G. L. c. 140, § 59 (1986 ed.). The commissioner, acting through Sergeant Robert Scobie (Scobie), the commanding officer of the Boston police . department licensing unit, denied Roslindale’s application. Although G. L. c. 140, § 59, provides for an appeal to the Superior Court, Roslindale filed a complaint in the nature of mandamus, see G. L. c. 249, § 5 (1986 ed.), asking that the…