Grievance of Stavig v. South Dakota Highway Patrol

371 N.W.2d 166, 1985 S.D. LEXIS 302
CourtSouth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 3, 1985
Docket14695
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 371 N.W.2d 166 (Grievance of Stavig v. South Dakota Highway Patrol) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering South Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Grievance of Stavig v. South Dakota Highway Patrol, 371 N.W.2d 166, 1985 S.D. LEXIS 302 (S.D. 1985).

Opinions

FOSHEIM, Chief Justice.

Trooper Marvin Stavig (Stavig) was informed by the director of the South Dakota Highway Patrol (Highway Patrol) on August 31, 1983, that he was being involuntarily transferred from his duty station at Mitchell to Kadoka, South Dakota and that he was being suspended without pay for three duty days. Stavig was informed that both measures were being taken for disciplinary reasons.

An appeal was taken from this disciplinary action and a hearing was held before the South Dakota Law Enforcement Civil Service Commission.1 In its finding of fact, conclusions of law and order the Commission concluded that Stavig had been insubordinate and denied his grievance. Sta-vig then appealed to the circuit court. The court reversed the decision of the Commission and entered finding of fact, conclusions of law, and a judgment for Stavig. This appeal is from that judgment.

Stavig was employed with the Highway Patrol in August of 1972. He had been stationed in Mitchell since his transfer from Presho in 1978. The evidence indicates that in many respects Stavig has been an effective trooper in the Highway Patrol. From time to time he has shown improvement in his weak areas. However, staying in compliance with Highway Patrol requirements has been difficult for Stavig. It has been a constant struggle involving counseling, reprimands, and patience on the part of his superiors. His most serious problems relate to personal grooming, maintenance of property and equipment, and excessive coffee breaks.

Prior to 1983, Sergeant Ibis, one of Sta-vig’s supervisors, talked with Stavig about his apparent lack of personal hygiene. No improvement was observed.

In early 1983, Sergeant Sammons became the new supervisor of the Mitchell squad. On numerous occasions Stavig’s personal appearance required Sergeant Sammons to take action. He spoke with Stavig at least twice about getting a haircut. On at least two or three other occasions, he reminded Stavig that his shoes needed to be shined. Sergeant Sammons even purchased and made a shoe shine kit available to Stavig. However, rather than shine his shoes, Stavig began wearing overshoes. Sergeant Sammons also talked to Stavig about his uniform jacket which was soiled and needed repair. These jackets are furnished at no expense to the trooper. It was the responsibility of each trooper, however, to keep his uniform in good appearance. Nevertheless, Stavig made no effort to replace or repair the jacket. It was necessary for Sergeant Sammons to do it for him.

When Sergeant John Berheim replaced Sergeant Sammons in the Mitchell area Stavig persisted in letting his hair appear unwashed and grow too long. He said he did not like to keep his hair trimmed because it associated him with law enforcement while enjoying off duty activities. His uniform often needed cleaning and he made a practice of wearing the same shirt for a number of days without washing until white stains appeared at the armpits. Because of body odor, it was unpleasant for his colleagues to work with him.

Additionally, Stavig would sometimes extend his coffee breaks for up to an hour [168]*168and continue them from one restaurant to another.

Stavig did not meet the standards of inspection with reference to the maintenance of his equipment. The interior and exterior of his car was unclean. The seat was broken down and he failed to install a new seat cushion. His shotgun and sidearm needed cleaning.

Following a meeting in April, concerning these conditions, Stavig assured his supervisors that he would improve. As a result of this meeting a seven point memo was drawn up which clearly expressed what was expected. Upon receipt of that memo, Stavig made a substantial, but temporary improvement. The improvements peaked and he again went on a downward slide until August 1983.

Sergeant Sammons then ordered Stavig to get a hair cut to Highway Patrol standards. Six days later, Stavig had not complied and he was ordered again to get his hair cut. He then complied. Stavig admits that within the six days he had adequate time and opportunity to get his hair cut, but that he merely chose not to comply. He admitted that when he was compelled to keep up with standards, it helped him in his job and that it had a positive impact on how the public perceived him as Highway Patrol Trooper.

The scope of review of the circuit court is determined by SDCL 1-26-36:

The court shall give great weight to the findings made and inferences drawn by an agency on questions of fact. The court may affirm the decision of the agency or remand the case for further proceedings. The court may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the administrative findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:
(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;
(2) In excess of the statutory authority of the agency;
(3) Made upon unlawful procedure;
(4) Affected by other error of law;
(5) Clearly erroneous in light of the entire evidence in the record; or
(6) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion. A court shall enter its own findings of
fact and conclusions of law or may affirm the findings and conclusions entered by the agency as part of its judgment. The circuit court may award costs in the amount and manner specified in chapter 15-17.

This Court’s review of appeals from administrative decisions is prescribed by SDCL 1-26-37, as amended by 1983 S.D. Sess.Laws ch. 6 § 1:

An aggrieved party or the agency may obtain a review of any final judgment of the circuit court under this chapter by appeal to the Supreme Court. The appeal shall be taken as in other civil cases. The Supreme Court shall give the same deference to the findings of fact, conclusions of law and final judgment of the circuit court as it does to other appeals from the circuit court. Such appeal may not be considered de novo.

“Under the new law we must affirm unless we determine the circuit court findings to have been clearly erroneous.” State Division of Human Rights v. Miller, 349 N.W.2d 42, 46 (S.D.1984); See also In re State Water Management Board, 351 N.W.2d 119 (S.D.1984). In the final analysis, “If the agency findings are not clearly erroneous then the circuit court was clearly erroneous in so concluding.” Miller at 46, n. 2.

The first issue urged is whether the Commission and the circuit court had jurisdiction to review the administrative reassignment which was implemented together with the three days suspension. Stavig contends the Commission and circuit court have jurisdiction to review both the suspension and the transfer to Kadoka.

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Grievance of Stavig v. South Dakota Highway Patrol
371 N.W.2d 166 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 1985)

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Bluebook (online)
371 N.W.2d 166, 1985 S.D. LEXIS 302, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/grievance-of-stavig-v-south-dakota-highway-patrol-sd-1985.