Former city police officer appealed decision of city police commissioner, terminating her employment after officer married a convicted murderer and prison gang member. The Circuit Court upheld officer’s termination, and officer appealed.
The Court of Special Appeals held that:
- Rational basis scrutiny applied to officer’s First Amendment challenge to regulation prohibiting officers from associating with persons of questionable character;
- Regulation was rationally related to legitimate city interest; and
- Substantial evidence showed that officer violated regulation.