City residents filed a petition for a writ of mandamus, seeking to compel city council and mayor to hire more police officers.
The District Court granted petition by issuing alternative writ requiring the mayor and city council to show cause why they have not employed and funded at least 731 sworn police officers, the equivalent of 0.0017 officers per resident based on the most current census data. City council and mayor appealed. The Court of Appeals reversed. Residents petitioned for further review, which was granted.
The Supreme Court held that:
- City council was obligated under city charter to fund a police force of at least 731 officers and provide for those employees’ compensation;
- Mayor had a clear legal duty under city charter to employ 731 officers based on the most recent census data;
- City council did not violate its clear legal duty to provide funding to fund at least 731 officers;
- Residents were not entitled to supplement the record with later-created materials;
- Alternative writ of mandamus did not impermissibly instruct mayor how to exercise hiring discretion; and
- City council was meeting its uncontested clear legal duty under city charter to fund at least 731 sworn police officers, thus precluding issuance of alternative writ of mandamus requiring city council to fund at least 731 officers.