Sherrod v. City of Detroit

Defendants appeal as of right from an order denying their motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a new trial, and remittitur. We reverse. This case requires us to review the provisions of the veterans’ preference act (vpa), MCL 35.401 et seq.; MSA 4.1221 et seq., and their relationship to the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, US Const, Am XIV.

I. introduction

The parties do not dispute the essential facts of this case. Plaintiff began his employment with the Detroit Police Department in 1969, and ultimately rose to the rank of inspector. On July 12, 1994, between…