City appealed decision of hearing committee on disciplinary proceedings against police officer under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights Act (LEOBOR). The Superior Court denied appeal. City petitioned for and was granted certiorari review.
The Supreme Court of Rhode Island held that:
- Hearing committee’s findings were accorded great deference, while questions of law, including interpretation of statutes, were reviewed de novo;
- Superior court lacked jurisdiction to review decision of hearing committee denying city’s request for extension of 30-day period for conducting initial hearing on complaint; and
- Even assuming superior court’s jurisdiction was properly invoked, it exceeded statutory authority in determining whether city showed good cause for extending 30-day period by ordering that parties find mutually agreeable date then treat that hearing as if held on originally scheduled date.