In recent months, many prominent voices in communities across the country have voiced frustration with what they perceive as legal barriers to terminating law enforcement officers accused of misconduct.  Many, including some elected officials, have argued that stripping officers of union protections and other forms of binding arbitration rights would allow police executives and local officials to terminate officers immediately and without recourse.  However, with or without union protections, law enforcement officers are still entitled to the basic rights of due process afforded any other government employees in their state or local jurisdiction.
Attorney Matt Dolan will discuss the fundamental rights to due process to which law enforcement officers are entitled, the basis for those rights, and the impact of recent legislative actions on those rights.  Topics covered will include: 

• The basis of due process—officers’ right to their “day in court” when their job is on the line
• Officers’ “property interest” in their government employment
• Fundamental due process rights under Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill 
• Deprivation of due process as the basis for reinstatement and/or financial compensation
• Evidence of unlawful discrimination or retaliation based on lack of due process