Lower Makefield Township v. Lower Makefield PBA

SOKOLOVE,

This matter is before the court on the petition of the Township of Lower Makefield to vacate and/or modify or correct an arbitrator’s award. It was agreed by the parties that the issue be decided based upon the briefs and exhibits submitted by counsel. For the reasons to be discussed, we will deny the petition.

The underlying controversy arose when respondent, James Doyle (Doyle), a police officer in Lower Makefield Township, became involved in an argument with a superior officer as to who was responsible for returning a phone call. The dispute resulted in a trading of profanities as…