Hinchliffe v. City of San Diego

Opinion

WORK, J.

Debra Hinchliffe was hired as a probationary police officer. While still on probation, she was discharged without a hearing before the civil service commission (Commission). Claiming section 129 of the San Diego City Charter (Charter) on the date of her hiring granted such a hearing, she sought a writ of mandate. We hold Hinchliffe’s hearing rights created by the Charter were not vested so as to be immune from modification by the electorate. Thus, the Charter amendment eliminating Commission review for probationary employees did not impinge any constitutionally protected right…