State ex rel. Bailey v. Edwards

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE BRANTLY delivered the opinion of the court. Appeals from a judgment awarding the relator a peremptory writ of mandamus, and from an order denying defendant’s motion for a new trial. At the time of the passage and approval of the Act of the legislative assembly called the “Police Commission Bill” (Chapter 136, Sessions Laws of 1907 [Revised Codes, secs. 3304-3317]), the relator was a member of the police force of the city of Helena. When the police department of the city was reorganized and constituted under the Revised Ordinances of the city in pursuance of the statute, he applied to the examining and trial board of the police department, and successfully un [317] derwent an examination for a position upon the reorganized police force. He was appointed and served during the time of probation, and was thereupon appointed to the position of police captain, wherein he continued to serve until he was discharged therefrom by the defendant as mayor of the city. The mayor acted under authority supposed to be conferred upon him by Ordinance No. 736 of the ordinances of the city, which was declared invalid in State ex rel. Quintin v. Edwards, ante, p. 287, 106 Pac. 695. The questions for decision in this case grow out of three contentions, stated in counsel’s brief as follows : (1) That the appointment of the relator as police captain for a life tenure, both under the police bill and section 50 of the ordinance, is null and void, being in contravention of section 6, Article XVI, Constitution of Montana; (2) that the city council had the power to abolish and did abolish the office of relator; and (3) that the laches of relator in commencing this action precludes the relief sought by him. The second one of these contentions was determined in the decision in State ex rel. Quintin v. Edwards, supra, adversely to the defendant. On this point that decision is conclusive. In support of the first contention, it is argued that there is a substantial distinction between a policeman, a member of the police force, and a police eaptain, a member of the police department, not only in rant, but in the duties which he is required to perform, and that, as a police captain is not technically a member of the police force, he is merely a police officer, and hence that the ordinance permitting his appointment for an indefinite term and the appointment thereunder are void. Counsel enters into an elaborate argument to demonstrate that the statute recognizes this distinction, but his reasoning is more plausible than convincing. The police force of a city is the body of men appointed to preserve the peace and good order of the city. (31 Cyc. 901.) A police officer “is one of the staff •of men employed in cities and towns to enforce the municipal police; i. e., the laws and ordinances for preserving the peace and good of the community.” (Id., 902.) The term “policeman” is generic, and includes every member of the police force, [318] whatever may be his grade or rank. (Id., 901; State ex rel. Quintin v. Edwards, supra.) Without pausing to discuss the technical distinction between the expressions “police department" and “police force" and ascertain the difference in the meaning assigned to them, as used in the various sections of' the statute, it is sufficient to say that a police captain is a policeman, just as the captain of a military company is a soldier, and the accident of his superior rank does not change or alter his duties, except in so far as it imposes upon him the additional duty to superintend and direct. The statute (section 3308) assumes that there may be distinctions in the rank of members of the police force; but it makes no distinction between officers or members of different rank as to their duties as policemen,, and requires all to be selected and appointed in the same way. That the relator was originally appointed a member of the force with the rank of captain does not in the least diminish his duty to preserve the peace and good order of the municipality; nor does it change his obligation to the public to discharge the duties imposed upon all policemen under the laws of the state.. The mayor and city council may adopt rules and regulations: for the control and discipline of the force, providing for different grades in the service, but no regulation adopted with this: end in view can make a policeman not a policeman. Otherwise, promotion from the ranks to a higher office as a reward, for meritorious service as a policeman or patrolman would entirely destroy the fitness of the one promoted to perform his; duty to the state. In other words, promotion would result in restricting the duties of one promoted, rather than to add to them and render them more important. There is no merit ini this contention. The time which elapsed after the removal of the relator until he brought this proceeding was a few days more than ten months. It is contended by counsel that this delay was inexcusable and concludes relator’s right to relief. Under section-6451, Revised Codes, actions for relief for which a limitation is not elsewhere prescribed may be brought within five years. We find no other limitation aorfficable to a proceeding of this. [319] character. Section 6476 declares that the word “action," as. used in the title relating to the time within which actions maybe brought, shall, when necessary, be construed to include special proceedings of a civil nature. While the court may in its. discretion notwithstanding these provisions deny an application for a writ of mandamus where there has been a long delay in. making it, in the absence of excuse or explanation (State ex rel. Beach v. District Court, 29 Mont. 265, 74 Pac. 498), the-propriety of issuing it in any particular case will be determined upon the facts of that ease; and, if it is apparent that the delay has not resulted in prejudice to the rights of the adverse party, and that the relief sought does not depend upon-the determination of doubtful and disputed questions of fact,, the writ may go. (High on Extraordinary Legal Remedies,, sec. 30b.) It appears from the evidence that at the time the action entitled State ex rel. Quintin v. Edwards was instituted, the relator and his associates assumed that it would result in a determination of all the questions affecting their rights, as well as those of Quintín. To avoid the expense of four separate-actions, they agreed with Quintín to assist him in the employment of counsel and the payment of other expenses necessary to prosecute his action. When it became apparent that the* litigation would continue, and they were unable, on application: to counsel for defendant, to obtain a stipulation that the rights; of all should be determined by the result in that case, they thereupon brought their separate actions. While it may be-the result that the relator cannot upon his restoration to office-recover from the city full compensation for the time during-which he has been out of service—and upon this question we-do not express any opinion—no prejudice will be done to the-defendant by sustaining the action, nor will any confusion be-wrought in the administration of the affairs of the city. The-facts upon which he bases his claim for relief are not disputed. Rehearing denied February 4, 1910. The other contentions made in the brief are not of sufficient merit to demand special notice. The judgment and order are affirmed. Affirmed. Mr. Justice Smith concurs.