Findings Of Fact As stipulated by the parties, the Findings of Fact are as follows: Petitioner was employed as a teacher by the following employers during the specified periods of time. Dixie County School System 1929-30 9 months 1930-31 9 months 1931-32 9 months Hardee County School System 1932-33 6 months 1933-34 8 months 1934-35 10 months 1936-37 9 months Petitioner was employed by the State Road Department from August 1, 1937, to October 31, 1939. Petitioner began serving as a Highway Patrolman on November 1, 1939, and continued until January 31, 1972. This service included a military leave of absence from March 1, 1943, through December, 1945. Petitioner retired from the Florida Highway Patrol on January 31, 1972. His service credit for retirement included the service with the State Road Department and the military service. On February 1, 1972, Petitioner began employment with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He became a member of the Florida Retirement System on this date pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 121, Florida Statutes. Petitioner was a member of the Highway Patrol Pension System from November 1, 1939, through January 31, 1972. He has been a member of the Florida Retirement System from February 1, 1972, through the present. He has never been a member of the Teachers' Retirement System. The Teachers' Retirement System was created effective July 1, 1939. The terms of Chapter 321, Florida Statutes, governing the Highway Patrol Pension System, did not permit the Petitioner to receive service credit for his employement (sic) as a teacher from 1929 through 1937. If Petitioner is to receive service credit for his employment as a teacher, it can only happen pursuant to Section 121.021(19)(b), Florida Statutes.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer recommends that the decision of the Agency Head denying the Petitioner, J. Wallace Smith, the prior service credit requested be made final. DONE and ORDERED this 10th day of August, 1979, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Diane K. Kiesling, Esquire Division of Retirement Cedars Executive Center 2639 North Monroe Street Suite 207C, Box 81 Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Mr. J. Wallace Smith 1473 Marion Avenue Tallahassee, Florida 32303
The Issue Whether the Respondent's suspension of Petitioner was in compliance with Chapter 110, Florida Statutes, and Chapters 22A-7 and 22A-10, Florida Administrative Code. Whether the Respondent's suspension of Petitioner should be sustained.
Findings Of Fact C. R. Dykes is a State Trooper employed by Respondent, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in the Division of Florida Highway Patrol in Pensacola, Florida. By certified mail letter dated September 30, 1977, Trooper Dykes, the Petitioner, was notified that he was being suspended for twenty-four (24) hours (three work days) without pay by the Respondent, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Florida Highway Patrol, for: Conduct Unbecoming a Public Employee and Negligence of Duty, as a result of your failure to accept witness subpoenas, and your contact with civil deputies of Escambia County, Florida . . . (Y)ou failed to accept witness subpoenas and repeatedly used profanity when discussing these subpoenas with civil deputies of Escambia County. Trooper Dykes appealed this suspension. Petitioner presented testimony and documentary evidence that at least on one occasion the Respondent did not appear for a contested hearing before the County Court of Escambia County after a witness subpoena had been issued for him and the subpoena was served on Respondent by leaving it with Operator Wise at the distribution center at the Patrol Station. The subpoena was not picked up by the Respondent and the Respondent informed the court that he had not received the subpoena. On July 6, 1977, Trooper Dykes was served with a Grand Jury subpoena by Lieutenant G. C. Wiggins and Sergeant W. A. Clark who supervised Trooper Dykes and the other State Troopers in the Pensacola District. Personal service was deemed necessary. Testimony was entered that because of previous difficulty in serving subpoenas upon Trooper Dykes in the customary manner by having the Troopers pick up their subpoenas from the Radio/Teletype Operators of the Pensacola Florida Highway Patrol Station, Deputy D. L. Roland, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, served a witness subpoena upon Trooper Dykes by serving it at Trooper Dykes' home through his wife, Mrs. Dykes, who accepted service with no apparent objections at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 1977. Trooper Dykes called Sergeant Vince Seely, now Lieutenant Seely, thereafter at 4:00 pm, on July 22, 1977, to complain about the witness subpoena served at his home address rather than at the Florida Highway Patrol Station. Lt. Seely testified that during the telephone conversation Trooper Dykes yelled into the telephone, cursed Lt. Seely and the Sheriff's Office, made unfounded accusations, and displayed unprofessional behavior, attitude, and lack of cooperation. The Respondent contended that the telephone conversation was strictly between Sergeant Seely and the Respondent; the service of the subpoena was not urgent; that 1:15 p.m. is not a reasonable time of day for a person working from midnight to 8 o'clock in the morning; that the birth of a child was imminent; and that the subpoena could have been left at the station rather than have been served at his home. There was some evidence presented that the Respondent "gave the dispatchers a hard time who informed him they had a subpoena for him."
Recommendation Sustain the agency action of suspension of Petitioner for the period of 24 hours without pay. DONE and ORDERED this 6th day of April, 1978, in Tallahassee, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 6th day of April, 1978. COPIES FURNISHED: C. R. Dykes 644 Timber Ridge Road Pensacola, Florida 32504 Enoch J. Whitney, Esquire Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304
The Issue Whether the involuntary transfer of Trooper Fred T. Wimberly from Troop "A" in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida to Troop "E" in Tavernier, Monroe County, Florida was a transfer for the benefit and convenience of the state.
Findings Of Fact Notice of hearing and objections to these proceedings, including the manner of the preservation of the record, were waived by the parties. This Hearing Officer and the Career Service Commission have jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action. Florida Highway Patrol personnel rules and regulations General Order number 43 and Career Service Commission rules and regulations Chapter 22A-09(c) provide for Career Service hearings on involuntary transfers. Fred T. Wimberly, Petitioner in this cause, is a Career Service Employee of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of the Florida Highway Patrol. He was sent a notice of his transfer by certified mail dated January 7, 1976. By Order of the Honorable Ernest E. Mason, Judge of the Circuit Court, Escambia County, said transfer as been restrained until April 15, 1976. 5, Seventy trooper positions allocated to the Florida Highway Patrol were not filled during the last fiscal year because of insufficient funds and this information was circulated by letter from Mr. Ralph Davis, Executive Director, on May 23, 1975. Col. J. E. Beach, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol by memorandum July 23, 1975, informed all Florida Highway Patrol troops: "We feel it only fair that all troops share the burden rather than a few carry the entire load" and informed the troopers that the Department had decided that each troop run 7.4 as a vacancy ratio. Troop "A" in Pensacola, Florida was to have seven (7) vacancies and Troop "E" was to have eleven (11) vacancies. On February 1, 1976, the time of the transfer of the Petitioner, Troop "A" in Pensacola had three (3) more troopers than allowed under the readjustment total of minus 7. Troop "E" had fourteen (14) less troopers beyond those readjustment figures of minus 11. Thus, Troop "A", in West Florida, had four (4) vacancies and Troop "E" in Broward, Dade and Monroe Counties had twenty-five (25) vacancies. The memorandum withheld voluntary transfers until the required ratio should be achieved. At the time of a needed involuntary transfer the long standing policy of the Florida Highway Patrol, established to help keep employees more satisfied and to retain experienced troopers, has been to consider the following factors: The troop of least need Seniority Marriage factor Wife's employment Number of children Number of school children Other considerations (a) It was determined by the Director of the Florida Highway Patrol that a trooper was needed in Tavernier, Florida, as an increment to Troop E. This determination was based on population need and road conditions. It was determined that Troop A was the troop statewide which could best accommodate itself to losing a trooper. The list of troopers was examined insofar as seniority was concerned and it was found that approximately fourteen (14) troopers had less seniority than Petitioner and therefore each trooper was examined, consistent with established policy, as to marriage status, children living with trooper, school age children living with trooper and wife's employment. It was found that two troopers, Petitioner and Trooper Pembroke Burrows, III, were most eligible for involuntary transfer insofar as these human factors were concerned both being single men with the approximate same seniority. It was decided that Trooper Burrows remain in Troop "A" since he is the only black trooper in the area, the other eleven (11) black troopers being located in the central and southern part of the state. It therefore appeared to the director of the Florida Highway Patrol that Trooper F.T. Wimberly should be chosen to fill the vacancy in Troop "A" and he was so notified of his transfer to be effective February 1, 1976. Said transfer was restrained until after a public hearing and until the Order of the Career Service Commission or April 15, 1976. Petitioner contends: That the transfer was arbitrary and disciplinary in nature and the involuntary transfer was the result of actions in his personal life that were of no concern to the Florida Highway Patrol; that if the transfer was disciplinary it should have been so designated. That the fact of his divorce and the living arrangements he made as to room and board in the home of a woman and her two sons was under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol prior to the involuntary transfer. That the transfer was made in total disregard to his job performance, his career status and his job seniority. Respondent contends: That the involuntary transfer was for the benefit and convenience of the state and that it followed a long established policy in transferring Petitioner to a needed area. That there were several other involuntary transfers as a result of the shortage of troopers in the state, particularly the southern part of Florida, and that there must be more involuntary transfers. That each trooper signs a statement as a part of a job application which reads "I fully understand that I may be stationed anywhere in the State of Florida and may be transferred at the convenience of the department." That the oath taken by Trooper Wimberly states that "I will render strict obedience to my superior in the Florida Highway Patrol and observe and abide by all orders and regulations prescribed by them for the government and administration of said Patrol." That the rules, regulations and policy of the Florida Highway Patrol were followed in the involuntary transfer of Petitioner and the transfer is to a place of great need and in fact is for the benefit and convenience of the state. That had the transfer been disciplinary in nature the result would have been suspension or dismissal. The Hearing Officer finds: The Florida Highway Patrol has presented substantial evidence that there is a need for a transfer to Troop "E" and that Troop "A" is a logical troop from which to withdraw a trooper and that Petitioner is not the only trooper in the state being transferred to fill the southern Florida need. The Petitioner signed a statement upon his application for employment that he understood that he might be transferred for the benefit and convenience of the state. The Florida Highway Patrol followed the established rules, regulations and policies in the involuntary transfer of Petitioner. That there were two troopers in the area who were most eligible to suffer an involuntary transfer but the reason for the determination to transfer Petitioner rather than Trooper Burrows is a valid reason. That in the field of law enforcement and for the protection of the people in the state there is a need for the Florida Highway Patrol to transfer troopers in an expeditious manner but with due regard to the individual rights of employees. That the evidence shows the human considerations were considered before Petitioner was selected to be transferred. That a determination as to whether the personal conduct of Petitioner was conduct unbecoming a police officer is not necessary for the determination of the issue.
The Issue The sole and limited issue in this case is whether John E. Wimberly "resigned" his position by abandonment as provided in Rule 22A-7.10(2)(a) Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact The following facts are established by the parties' Prehearing Stipulation dated October 3, 1986: The Respondent, John E. Wimberly, at all times material herein was employed as a trooper by the Florida Highway Patrol in Troop F, Manatee County Florida. The Respondent was assigned the following work shift: Friday, April 11, 1986: 7:00 p.m. 3:00 a.m. Saturday April 12, 1986: 3:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Sunday April 13, 1986: 3:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Monday April 14, 1986: 3:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. The Respondent was involved in an automobile accident in Dade County, Florida, on April 10, 1986, while off duty. His brother, Willie Wimberly, and a third person, Felix Bush, were also in the vehicle. The Respondent was admitted to Palmetto hospital on April 10, 1986, and discharged on April 12, 1986, as a result of injuries sustained in the automobile accident. The Respondent underwent surgery performed on his right index finger for repair of a lacerated tendon. The Respondent's brother, Willie Wimberly, was admitted to Palmetto Hospital with injuries. The Respondent did not report for work on April 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The Respondent did not personally contact a supervisor or a duty officer of the Florida Highway Patrol to report his absence until approximately 11 30 p.m. on April 15, 1986. The State of Florida Personnel Rules and the provisions of the Florida Highway Patrol Policy Manual referenced in the Petitioner's Composite Exhibit #1 were in effect during the time period of April 10, 1986 through April 16, 1986. On July 23, 1985 and September 27, 1985 the Respondent John E. Wimberly acknowledged receipt of the Florida Highway Patrol Forms and Procedures Manual and further acknowledged reading said manual and being afforded an opportunity to ask questions of a supervisor concerning any questions about the manual. Sgt. Anderson from the Dade County troop of the Highway Patrol, who was investigating the accident told Trooper Wimberly in the hospital that he would contact Wimberly's immediate supervisor. Troop F in Bradenton was notified of Wimberly's accident at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 1986. Petitioner's Exhibit #1 testimony of Wimberly). On Friday, April 11th, Major Paul Taylor, Troop F Commander, instructed his secretary to call the hospital to determine Trooper Wimberly's condition. Efforts to reach Wimberly were unsuccessful but the associate of the attending physician informed Major Taylor that the injuries were minor, that surgery was going to be done on Wimberly's finger and he would be released on Saturday, April 12th. (testimony of Taylor; Petitioner's Exhibit #1) Trooper Wimberly was released from the hospital in Miami at 1:30 p.m. on the 12th. On the evening of that date, his supervisor, Sgt. Cheshire, began trying to reach him at his home in Bradenton. Similar efforts were made on Sunday and Monday. On Monday night Sgt. Cheshire was told by Trooper David L. McCarter, Jr. that Trooper Wimberly was still in Miami and would be in to see him (Sgt. Cheshire) Tuesday. Trooper McCarter had called Wimberly in Miami. (Petitioner's Exhibit #1 testimony of Wimberly) At no time during his absence from April 11th through 15th did Trooper Wimberly, or anyone on his behalf, request leave. Wimberly's injuries in the accident consisted of a lacerated tendon in his right hand and a sprained ankle. He had a soft cast on his leg, and after surgery, a cast on his hand. He admits that he could have physically contacted his supervisors at Troop F but was concerned about his brother who had been seriously injured and after his own release, spent most of his time at the hospital. (testimony of Wimberly) Relevant sections of the Florida Highway Patrol Policy Manual provide Reporting Late for Duty If, due to an illness or other circumstances, a member cannot report for duty at the assigned time but will be late, the member will contact his/her supervisor before the start of the shift to explain the situation and provide an estimated time of arrival. Failure to Report for Duty Due to Illness. Any member unable to report for duty due to illness or injury shall notify his or her immediate supervisor as soon as possible on the first day of absence. If possible, the member should provide at least a 2 hour notice to allow for a replacement to be obtained. . . . Absence Without Authorized Leave Florida Highway Patrol officers are expected to report for duty on their assigned shift except when prevented by injury, illness, or emergency situations. Any leave of absence with or without pay shall be approved prior to the leave period except when emergency situations prevent such action. If an employee takes unauthorized leave, the employee will be placed on leave without pay status. Abandonment of Position Any member who is absent without authorization for 3 consecutive work days shall be deemed to have abandoned the position and to have resigned from Career Service. Any member who separates under such circumstances shall not have the right to appeal to the Career Service Commission and is subject to all pro- cedures outlined in Section 22A7.10(2) of the Rules of the Career Service Commission. 5.09.00 Sick Leave Members will be permitted to take sick leave only for instances of illness, injury or other reasons as specified in Section 22A-8.11 of the Personnel Rules of the Career Service System. The Department may, after three workdays of absence in any 30 calendar day period, require a medical certification of the member's illness before authorizing any additional use of sick leave credits by the member. Abuse of sick leave benefits by reporting off ill or injured when actually fit for duty will be grounds for disciplinary action. A member, while on sick leave for any reason, is expected to be at his or her residence, or to notify the immediate supervisor of any other location. (Petitioner's Exhibit #4) Trooper Wimberly was aware of the policy and has followed it in the past. (testimony of Wimberly) The absence of law enforcement personnel affects the staffing of shifts and sometimes court appearances cannot be honored. The details of when and how long an individual will be absent are important to the effective functioning of the troop. (testimony of Taylor)
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing, it is recommended that a final order be entered finding that Respondent was appropriately terminated for abandonment in accordance with Rule 22A-7.010(2)(a) Florida Administrative Code. DONE AND ORDERED this 29th day of October 1986, in Tallahassee, Florida. MARY CLARK Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 904/488-9675 FILED with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of October, 1986. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER IN CASE NO. 86-2154 The following constitute my specific rulings on the findings of fact submitted by the parties in this case. Findings by Petitioner 1. through 5. Adopted in paragraph #1. Adopted in paragraph #3. Rejected as unnecessary. Relevant portions of the policy manual are addressed in paragraph #4. Adopted in paragraph #4. and 11. Adopted in paragraph #1. Rejected as irrelevant. Rejected as unnecessary. Adopted in general in paragraph #5. The fact of termination is addressed in the Background portion of the Recommended Order. Findings of Fact Proposed by Respondent 1. through 3. Adopted in paragraph #1. 4. and 5. Adopted in general in paragraph #2. The period of hospitalization is addressed in paragraphs #1 and #2. Thursday night until early Saturday afternoon does not constitute three days. Rejected as immaterial. Major Taylor also testified that he could have been assigned to other duties. The issue was not his ability to function as a trooper. Addressed in part in paragraph #3 otherwise rejected as immaterial. Adopted in paragraph #3. Adopted in paragraph #2. Adopted in paragraph #1 as to the date and time of trooper Wimberly's return; otherwise rejected as provided in paragraph 7 above. Adopted in paragraph #4. Rejected as immaterial. His subjective intent was inconsistent with his failure to seek authorized leave. Ruling on Exceptions to Recommended Order Exceptions of Petitioner Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 1. Not an exception - simply restates Hearing Officer's Findings of Fact 3 and 4. 2. Not an exception - simply restates Hearing Officer's Conclusion of Law 7. 3. Not an exception. 4. Rejected. Exceptions of Respondent Santiago Baez 1. 1 through 4 Rejected for the reasons set out in the Recommended Order in Conclusion of Law 7. COPIES FURNISHED: R. W. Evans, Esquire Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 John E. Wimberly c/o Robert A. Pell, Esquire Florida Police Benevolent Association Post Office Box 11239 Tallahassee Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact J. W. Joines is an employee of the Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Highway Patrol. Joines has permanent Career Service status in his position, and filed a timely appeal of the disciplinary action taken against him. Joines was 45 minutes late for work on October 7, 1976 having been awakened by the local police at his supervisor's request. He was 30 minutes late reporting to work on November 27, 1976. On December 25, 1976 he took an unauthorized two hour break in his duty tour. Joines was orally counseled for the first incident, received an oral reprimand for the second incident, and a written reprimand for the third incident. On March 13, 1977, Joines was 34 minutes late reporting for work. Joines received a 16 hours suspension for neglect of duty for this incident.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer finds that the agency's action was for good cause and should be sustained. DONE and ENTERED this 8th day of November, 1977, in Tallahassee, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of November, 1977. COPIES FURNISHED: Enoch J. Whitney, Esquire Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 J. W. Joines 690 Nelson Drive Orange Park, Florida 32073 Ms. Dorothy Roberts Appeals Coordinator Department of Administration Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304
