Petipren v. Jaskowski

FITZGERALD, J.

In Docket No. 298088, plaintiff, Thomas Petipren, alleged that defendant Rodney Jaskowski, the police chief for the village of Port Sanilac, assaulted him without provocation and wrongfully arrested him for resisting and obstructing and disorderly conduct. In Docket No. 301125, Petipren filed a counterclaim in a separate lawsuit brought by Jaskowski, alleging that Jaskowski negligently and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Petipren and acted negligently. Jaskowski appeals as of right the orders denying his motions for summary disposition that were brought pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) on the basis of governmental immunity. We affirm.

I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On July 19, 2008, the village of Port Sanilac hosted a fundraising event in a park that included a number of musical acts and a beer tent; Petipren and his band were scheduled to perform at the event. Complaints regarding the style of music being played at the event had been voiced to volunteers working at the beer tent before Petipren’s band played. Words were exchanged between individuals listening to the prior band and those patronizing the beer tent. Brown City Police Chief Ron Smith reported to the park after receiving a “call from individuals” requesting that he stop by the park “because the band that was performing was playing offensive music.” The organizer of the event also returned to the event after being contacted by a volunteer at the beer tent. Upon his arrival, Smith was approached by several citizens who found the music “offensive, disturbing, and not appropriate for the crowd.” Smith then contacted Village of Port Sanilac Police Chief Ronald Jaskowski and requested that Jaskowski come to the park because trouble appeared to be brewing between those who wanted the band to play and those who did not. By the time Jaskowski arrived, the organizer of the event was resolving the situation. At some point, a decision was made that the bands would no longer play.

From here, the parties’ portrayals of the facts sharply diverge. Petipren testified that he had been busy assembling his drum set on stage and did not know that the concert had been canceled. Petipren was in the midst of playing his usual warmup routine when he observed Jaskowski for the first time. Jaskowski appeared to be very angry, so Petipren stopped playing to determine what Jaskowski wanted. Petipren asserted that he held his drumsticks in his lap and did not say anything. According to Petipren, Jaskowski barged through Petipren’s drum set, knocked over a cymbal, grabbed Petipren’s drumsticks, and flung them away. Jaskowski then grabbed Petipren by the collar and pushed him backward off of his seat and into a pole. Petipren testified that no words were exchanged and that he put his arms straight up in the air to be completely clear that he was not resisting. Petipren stated that he began asking, “What did I do?” and Jaskowski then pushed him off the stage and shoved him down onto the grass. Jaskowski yelled at Petipren to stop resisting, and Petipren again responded that he was not resisting. When a bass player from another band asked Jaskowski why Petipren was being arrested, Jaskowski had him arrested as well. The prosecutor declined to press any charges against Petipren.

Testimony from the organizer of the event and the statements of other witnesses generally corroborated Petipren’s account of the incident. Jaskowski, on the other hand, reported that when he told Petipren to stop playing, Petipren refused, swore at him, and punched him in the jaw when he tried to take Petipren’s drumsticks. Jaskowski stated that Petipren continued to resist while Jaskowski attempted to handcuff him.

Petipren filed suit against Jaskowski individually and as the police chief for assault and battery and false arrest.¹ Jaskowski filed his own suit against Petipren, alleging assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Petipren filed a countercomplaint in that case alleging intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence against Jaskowski. Jaskowski moved for summary disposition of the claims against him in each case. The trial court denied both motions.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

We review de novo a trial court’s determination regarding a motion for summary disposition. Odom v Wayne Co, 482 Mich 459, 466; 760 NW2d 217 (2008). A trial court properly grants summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) when a claim is barred because of immunity granted by law. Maiden v Rozwood, 461 Mich 109, 118; 597 NW2d 817 (1999). “When reviewing a motion under MCR 2.116(C)(7), this Court must accept all well-pleaded factual allegations as true and construe them in favor of the plaintiff, unless other evidence contradicts them.” Dextrom v Wexford Co, 287 Mich App 406, 428; 789 NW2d 211 (2010). If any documentary evidence is submitted, we must view it in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party to determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact. Zwiers v Growney, 286 Mich App 38, 42; 778 NW2d 81 (2009). “If no facts are in dispute, and if reasonable minds could not differ regarding the legal effect of the facts, the question whether the claim is barred is an issue of law for the court.” Dextrom, 287 Mich App at 431. Conversely, if a factual dispute exists regarding whether immunity applies, summary disposition is not appropriate. Id.

III. STATUTORY INTERPRETATION

This appeal involves, in part, an issue of statutory construction. The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to “ascertain the legislative intent that may reasonably be inferred from the statutory language itself.” Griffith v State Farm Mut Auto Ins Co, 472 Mich 521, 526; 697 NW2d 895 (2005), citing Sotelo v Grant Twp, 470 Mich 95, 100; 680 NW2d 381 (2004). “The first step in that determination is to review the language of the statute itself.” In re MCI Telecom Complaint, 460 Mich 396, 411; 596 NW2d 164 (1999), citing House Speaker v State Admin Bd, 441 Mich 547, 567; 495 NW2d 539 (1993). Unless statutorily defined, every word or phrase of a statute should be accorded its plain and ordinary meaning, MCL 8.3a; Robertson v Daimler-Chrysler Corp, 465 Mich 732, 748; 641 NW2d 567 (2002), taking into account the context in which the words are used, 2000 Baum Family Trust v Babel, 488 Mich 136, 175; 793 NW2d 633 (2010). We may consult dictionary definitions to give words their common and ordinary meaning. Halloran v Bhan, 470 Mich 572, 578; 683 NW2d 129 (2004). When given their common and ordinary meaning, Veenstra v Washtenaw Country Club, 466 Mich 155, 160; 645 NW2d 643 (2002), citing MCL 8.3a, “[t]he words of a statute provide ‘the most reliable evidence of its intent,’ ” Sun Valley Foods Co v Ward, 460 Mich 230, 236; 596 NW2d 119 (1999), quoting United States v Turkette, 452 US 576, 593; 101 S Ct 2524; 69 L Ed 2d 246 (1981).

IV GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY

The governmental tort liability act (GTLA), MCL 691.1401 et seq., shields a governmental agency from tort liability “if the governmental agency is engaged in the exercise or discharge of a governmental function.” MCL 691.1407(1). “The existence and scope of governmental immunity was solely a creation of the courts until the Legislature enacted the GTLA in 1964, which codified several exceptions to governmental immunity that permit a plaintiff to pursue a claim against a governmental agency.” Duffy v Dep’t of Natural Resources, 490 Mich 198, 204; 805 NW2d 399 (2011). The statutory exceptions must be narrowly construed. Maskery v Univ of Mich Bd of Regents, 468 Mich 609, 614; 664 NW2d 165 (2003). A plaintiff bringing suit against the government must plead in avoidance of governmental immunity. Odom, 482 Mich at 478-479. However, the immunity of an individual governmental employee is an affirmative defense that the employee must raise and prove. Id. at 479.

V MCL 691.1407(5)

Jaskowski argues that he is absolutely immune from plaintiffs claims because he holds the highest appointive office at the pertinent level of government and his actions were taken within the scope of his authority. Governmental immunity from tort liability is governed by MCL 691.1407. Of particular relevance in this case, MCL 691.1407(5) provides:

A judge, legislator, and the elective or highest appointive executive official of all levels of government are immune from tort liability for injuries to persons or damages to property if he or she is acting within the scope of his or her judicial, legislative, or executive authority.

A police chief is generally recognized as the highest appointive official in the police department. See Payton v Detroit, 211 Mich App 375, 394; 536 NW2d 233 (1995). However, under MCL 691.1407(5), the highest appointive executive officials of a level of government are not immune from tort liability unless their acts fall within the scope of their executive authority. American Transmissions, Inc v Attorney General, 454 Mich 135, 144; 560 NW2d 50 (1997); Marrocco v Randlett, 431 Mich 700, 710-711; 433 NW2d 68 (1988). Whether the highest executive official of a local government was acting within his or her authority depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the acts, the position held by the official, the local law defining the authority, and the structure and allocation of powers at that particular level of government. American Transmissions, 454 Mich at 141; Bennett v Detroit Police Chief, 274 Mich App 307, 312; 732 NW2d 164 (2006). The official’s motive is irrelevant.² American Transmissions, 454 Mich at 143-144; Brown v Detroit Mayor, 271 Mich App 692, 722; 723 NW2d 464 (2006), aff'd in part and vacated in part on other grounds 478 Mich 589 (2007).

The Port Sanilac Village Council set forth the “Essential Duties and Responsibilities” of the police chief in the job description for the position:

• Recruit, train, and monitor officers!’] performance.

• Coordinates activities by scheduling work assignments, setting priorities, and directing the work of subordinate employees.

• Plan, develop, and monitor work schedules to ensure efficient use of personnel.

“When the Legislature was considering amendments of the governmental immunity statute in 1985 and 1986, it always provided for immunity forjudges, legislators, elective officials, and the highest appointive executive officials when they are acting within the scope of their judicial, legislative, or executive authority. See House Legislative Analysis, HB 5163 Substitute H-2, November 19, 1985; Senate Analysis, HB 5163 (S-3), March 20, 1986; House Legislative Analysis, HB 5163, July 23, 1986. This is in direct contrast to the treatment of lower level governmental employees. With respect to lower level governmental employees, the Legislature considered various intent-based standards, such as ‘acting in good faith’ and ‘not acting in bad faith.’ See House Legislative Analysis, HB 5163 Substitute H-2, November 19,1985; House Legislative Analysis, HB 5163, January 16, 1986. The proposed intent requirements were in addition to other prerequisites to immunity in lower level employees; the employee’s ‘reasonable belief that he was acting within the scope of his authority and the ‘gross negligence’ standard. Id Ultimately, however, the specific intent requirement for lower level governmental employees was omitted from the bill as passed. See MCL 691.1407(2); MSA 3.996(107)(2). Thus, although the Legislature considered various intent-based factors for lower level governmental employees, such an intent factor was never considered or included with respect to high level governmental employees.”

• Makes decisions and takes necessary actions. Identifies and solves administrative problems.

• Communicates effectively with others.

• Identify staff development and training needs and ensures that training is obtained.

• Oversees communication and public relations practices, and directs the dissemination of requested information and/or materials to requestors.

• Maintains records, prepares reports, and composes correspondence relative to the work to include but not limited to; [Michigan Incident Crime Reporting] state report, death and custody reports, officers killed report, [1982 PA 302 criminal justice training] fund expenditures report.

• Prepares and presents a monthly report to council at regular council meetings and attends monthly finance committee meeting.

• Reviews request for service, determines feasibility of requests according to resource capabilities; then proceeds to either execute the request or suggest other means to secure the requested service.

• Provides input into the development of long-range budget and planning information.

• Issues various licenses and permits handled by the police department (ie., Liquor licenses)!.]

• Prepares time sheets and presents to bookkeeper in a timely manner in accordance with pay dates for all officers.

• Maintains and updates policies and procedures within the police department.

• Maintains complete inventory and requisitions of materials and supplies.

• Vehicle fleet maintenance.

• Maintains records of all vehicles to establish repair/replacement.

• Maintains inventory of department of vehicles.

• Provide leadership and mentoring to subordinate employees while carrying out police activities.

• Record and secure all evidence.[³]

A review of the duties assigned to the chief of police reveals that the chiefs duties generally involve policy, procedure, administration, and personnel matters. Generally, opinions interpreting MCL 691.1407(5) have involved either defamation lawsuits that arose from public comments made by the highest executive official of a level of government or lawsuits that arose from personnel or employment decisions made by the highest executive official of a level of government. Those cases have concluded that acts such as commenting on an official governmental matter and making personnel or employment decisions clearly fall within the scope of the executive authority of the highest executive officials of local government. For example, in Bennett, a suspended police officer brought an action for wrongful discharge against the chief of police and the mayor. This Court concluded that the chief had express legal authority to suspend police officers from duty and, therefore, was entitled to governmental immunity for suspending the police officer for operating an Internet website in violation of police department rules and regulations. Bennett, 274 Mich App at 313-315. This Court also concluded that the mayor, who had authority to terminate or suspend employees, was immune from the plaintiffs tort allegations. Id. at 319.

In Washington v Starke, 173 Mich App 230; 433 NW2d 834 (1988), the personal representative of a fleeing burglar shot by a Benton Harbor police officer brought a wrongful death action against the city’s public safety director, who is the highest executive official in Benton Harbor’s police department. The plaintiff alleged that the public safety director had failed to properly supervise the officer who used deadly force in shooting the burglar. This Court concluded that the public safety director’s “supervision of departmental employees is conduct within his executive authority, and therefore immune from suit.” Id. at 241.

In Meadows v Detroit, 164 Mich App 418; 418 NW2d 100 (1987), a police officer brought suit against the police chief⁴ for the chiefs participation in a board hearing that resulted in the suspension of the police officer and for allegedly defamatory comments the chief wrote in a letter to the effect that the officer’s failure to report that his partner had accepted a bribe amounted to “criminal misconduct.” This« Court noted that the city charter gave the police chief the authority to suspend and discharge employees of the department. Thus, the Court concluded that the chief was acting within the scope of his executive authority when he discharged the plaintiff without pay and was therefore absolutely immune for his action. Id. at 427. The Court also concluded that the police chief was entitled to absolute immunity for the allegedly defamatory comments he made in the letter written in response to a citizen complaint concerning the officer’s discharge. The Court found that “as a part of his duties as chief of police, [the chief] was implicitly authorized [by the city charter] to respond to and, if possible, to resolve complaints concerning the police department, even complaints regarding the discharge of a police officer.” Id. at 428.

None of the published decisions in this state have considered a situation involving conduct by a police chief that occurred when the chief was acting as an ordinary police officer rather than within his or her capacity as the highest executive official of a level of government. Jaskowski relies on an unpublished and thus nonbinding decision in which a panel of this Court concluded “that a police chiefs ‘executive authority’ includes his duties as a high ranking executive as well as his ordinary duties as a police officer.” Lewkowicz v Poe, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued May 15, 2001 (Docket No. 216307), p 2. After specifically noting that the police chief was directed to attend a city council meeting in his official capacity as police chief, this Court found that the police chief “acted within the authority granted him by law as a police officer when he arrested and detained plaintiff, and was entitled to absolute immunity under MCL 691.1407(5) ... by virtue of his status as the highest law enforcement official for the city of Romulus.” Id. at 2-3 (emphasis added). However, in Scozzari v City of Clare, 723 F Supp 2d 945, 967 (ED Mich, 2010), the federal district court concluded that a police chief was not entitled to absolute immunity under MCL 691.1407(5) from an assault-and-battery claim brought by the estate of a deceased victim of a police shooting because the chief “appears to have been acting in his capacity as an officer on patrol, rather than performing any tasks particular to his position as the ‘highest appointive official.’ ”

We find that the Scozzari reasoning best reflects the legislative intent expressed in the words of MCL 691.1407(5). Scozzari was more faithful in construing the plain language of the statute and recognized that it refers to immunity for acts taken by the highest executive official of a level of government when the official is acting within the scope of his or her executive authority. When a police chief acts as an ordinary police officer— that is, when the nature of the act is outside the scope of his or her executive duties — the chief is not entitled to absolute immunity simply because he or she is also the police chief. Indeed, the essential duties of the police chief as set forth in the job description for the police chief of the village of Port Sanilac are administrative in nature and are clearly distinct from the nature of the duties of an ordinary police officer.⁵ Although a police chief may occasionally perform the duties of an ordinary police officer, the police chief is not acting within the scope of his or her executive authority as the highest executive official in the police department when doing so.⁶ Rather, the nature of the act is that of an ordinary police officer. As an ordinary police officer, he would be entitled to the immunity provided to governmental employees under MCL 691.1407(2) if all the statutory requirements were satisfied.⁷ Indeed, it would lead to an illogical result to limit a plaintiffs intentional-tort claims arising from the conduct of a police officer in those cases in which the police officer was also the police chief who was acting as an ordinary police officer at the time he or she allegedly committed the tortious act.

Affirmed.

Ronayne Krause, J., concurred with Fitzgerald, J.

1 Petipren also filed suit against the village of Port Sanilac. The trial court dismissed the claims against the village.

2 In American Transmissions, 454 Mich at 140 n 5, the Supreme Court quoted from this Court’s opinion in American Transmissions, Inc v Attorney General, 216 Mich App 119, 125 n 3; 548 NW2d 665 (1996):

3 The specific job duties of the police chief do not refer to making arrests.

4 We note that in Meadows two different defendants functioned as chief police during the relevant time period. Although one defendant was responsible for the police officer’s suspension and another for the allegedly defamatory remarks, it was irrelevant with respect to the governmental immunity analysis as both were acting as chief of police during the complained about actions.

5 The duties of an ordinary police officer can he gleaned from the responsibilities of the police department generally as set forth by the Port Sanilac Village Council:

Patrol the streets of the Village of Port Sanilac, . . . observe and investigate persons, situations or things which require attention and which affect enforcement of laws or prevention of crime. Preserve the peace and protect life and property, control public gatherings and perform miscellaneous services relative to public health and safety including property checks of private residences (upon request) and commercial establishments. Receive and process complaints by citizens, arrest offenders, prepare reports and testify in court. Traffic duties shall consist of enforcing the traffic ordinances of the Village of Port Sanilac and the State of Michigan. ... Investigate traffic accidents and prepare proper reports.

6 We acknowledge that Jaskowski submitted an affidavit in which he averred that he did at times perform those functions that are within the scope of the duties of employees of the police department generally. This fact is not in dispute. However, the fact that Jaskowski performed those functions does not place the functions within the scope of the executive duty of the police chief; rather, they remain within the scope of the functional responsibilities of the police department generally.

7 Under MCL 691.1407(2) employees of a governmental unit are immune from state tort claims if all the following conditions are met: