Auburn Journal

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Rocklin Officer Files Wrongful Termination Suit

By: Penne Usher

Auburn Journal Staff Writer

A veteran Rocklin police officer and Colfax resident filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Rocklin for wrongful termination Friday morning.

Mary-Alice Coleman, the attorney for Rick Eaton, 48, filed the suit against the Rocklin Police Department and its chief Mark Siemens with the U.S. District Court in Sacramento.

"We've filed the suit on behalf of Rick Eaton who was wrongfully terminated for reporting illegal conduct," Coleman said Friday.

The suit claims a violation of civil rights, violation of the peace officer's bill of rights and whistle blowing.

"Sgt. Eaton was recently terminated from the Rocklin Police Department for complaining about and refusing to participate in the illegal Vehicle Code citations quota program instituted by Chief Siemens ...," the suit claims in part.
Eaton has said that the department instituted a red-light citation quota for the officer.

"Because of pending litigation at this point I am unable to comment," said Chief Mark Siemens.

After Eaton was released from duty he contested his termination. An independent arbitrator reviewed the case and determined that the termination should stand, Siemens said in an earlier interview.

Coleman said her client was terminated for insubordination after more than 19 years with the Rocklin Police Department and has suffered lost wages and benefits, retirement and overtime.

Eaton said Friday he is hoping the civil suit is successful and he can regain some of his lost financial resource.

"What we'll be asking for is recovery of lost wages, as well as general damages and punitive damages," Eaton said.

Since his Jan. 11, 2004 dismissal Eaton has been making ends meet by working with his brother in the Bay Area.

"I'm still working with my brother in the trucking industry," Eaton said.

The allegations of dishonesty as well as being fired for insubordination could prevent Eaton from retaining another job in law enforcement.

"Getting my name cleared is something we'll probably have to pursue in another matter in Placer County Superior Court," Eaton said.

The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com.

Story Comments »

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Bryan Adam wrote on February 19, 2007 9:20 PM: "I worked with Rick Eaton at the Rocklin PD for several years and I cant think of another Officer who cared more deeply for traffic safety. His termination illustrates the age old practice of municipalities deriving windfall profits from traffic citations. When will citizens wake up and notice their individual rights have been trampled on by these quotas."

Steve McCollum wrote on February 19, 2007 1:19 PM: "it sounds like Mr Rick Eaton had every right by refusing to participate in anything illegal let alone any citation quota program instituted by anyone especially the chief. something sounds fishy about terminating someone just not participating in stuff like this."