Hafford v. City of New Bedford

Bigelow, C. J. Where a municipal corporation elects or appoints an officer, in obedience to an act of the legislature, to perform a public service, in which the city or town has no particular interest, and from which it derives no special benefit or advantage in its corporate capacity, but which it is bound to see performed in pursuance of a duty imposed by law for the general welfare of the inhabitants or of the community, such officer cannot be regarded as a servant or agent, for whose negligence or want of skill in the performance of his duties a town or city can be held liable. The acts proved at the trial fall within this principle, and are not such as to render the defendant liable to an action. The members of the fire department of New Bedford, when acting in the discharge of their duties, are not servants or agents in the employment of the city, for whose conduct the city can be held liable; but they act rather as officers of the city, charged with the performance of a certain public duty or service: and no action will lie against the city for their negligence or improper conduct, while acting in the discharge of their official duty. Judgment for the defendant.