Feds Sue Brockton Over Police Promotion Flap
BOSTON (AP) -- The federal government is suing the city of Brockton and the state for allegedly delaying promotion opportunities for a police officer returning from military duty in Iraq.
U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said Thursday that Brian Benvie was promoted to sergeant, but eight months later than an officer who scored lower on a promotional exam Benvie was allowed to make up.
The time lag led the state to keep Benvie from taking a lieutenant's exam when he would have otherwise been able to, potentially denying him seniority and pay.
Ortiz is seeking to provide Benvie with a makeup lieutenant's exam; any promotion it may merit; and pay and benefits he would have received if he had taken the test when he was eligible in October 2008.
The city had no comment.
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