THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 25, 1995 TAG: 9503250336
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
A federal court jury on Friday awarded a former Smithfield police officer, who accused the town of violating his civil rights, more than $41,000 and the right to be reinstated to his job.
Earlier this month, in a similar case involving another former Smithfield police officer, a judge ruled in favor of the Isle of Wight County town.
Friday's lawsuit involved Edward P. Hill, who was fired from the Smithfield Police Department in September 1992 for refusing to obey a direct order to return police records.
In the $2.5 million lawsuit he filed in September, Hill contended he was fired because he was trying to bring to light evidence of corruption in the Smithfield Police Department.
The lawsuit said Hill's right to free speech, his civil rights and his constitutional right to protection of his job as a public employee were violated.
Hill was a seven-year veteran of the police force, third in command and a sergeant before his dismissal. The lawsuit against the town, a former town manager and the current police chief alleged that Hill saw evidence within the force of altered arrest reports, altered traffic reports and unserved criminal warrants.
After the five-day trial and after deliberating for a day and a half, the jury found for Hill, awarding him the cash settlement, any employer-provided entitlements from the time he was fired, his attorney's fees and court costs.
Hill's attorney, Michael F. Imprevento, said, ``Former Sergeant Hill is very pleased his civil rights have been vindicated. He is extremely pleased. He has always contended that he was fired for improper reasons.''
Imprevento couldn't say whether Hill would decide to return to the Smithfield police force; Hill could not be reached for comment.
Hill's lawsuit was the second of two filed against the town by police officers fired under similar circumstances.
Former Smithfield police officer David A. Richardson lost his suit earlier this month when U.S. District Judge J. Calvitt Clarke Jr. ruled in favor of the town.
Town Attorney William Riddick, contacted Friday, declined to comment on Friday's ruling.
KEYWORDS: SUIT SMITHFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT by CNB