Police Commissioner v. Civil Service Commission

The police commissioner, the appointing authority for the Boston police department (department), appeals the affirmance by a Superior Court judge of a decision of the Civil Service Commission (commission) favorable to Medaline Figueroa, a Boston police officer. The appeal turns on the issue whether the commission had jurisdiction to decide Figueroa’s appeal of the termination of her employment.

The pertinent facts are not in dispute. Figueroa was appointed a police officer in 1983. In May of 1985 she re*471quested, and was granted, a one-year maternity leave. She returned to work in May of 1986.…