Hughes v. Ward

The petitioner has had a continuing alcoholism problem. A disability retirement was recommended for him and, while such procedures were pending, he failed to report for duty, missed an appointment for an examination and refused to obey the orders of superiors to report for duty.

The petitioner pleaded guilty to the charges and the recommendation by the Trial Commissioner was for dismissal from the police force. The petitioner asked, instead, for a two-year suspension. The only issue presented is the severity of the penalty imposed. The IAS court concluded that dismissal was an unreasonably harsh and excessive sanction because the misconduct did not involve moral turpitude but was rather due to petitioner’s alcoholism.

Petitioner’s problem with liquor was one of long duration and, although his record was otherwise satisfactory, it had, on several prior occasions, resulted in disciplinary action against him.

Under the circumstances, it cannot be said that the penalty imposed is shockingly disproportionate to the offense so as to amount to an abuse of discretion. (Matter of Pell v Board of Educ., 34 NY2d 222; see also, Matter of Berenhaus v Ward, 70 NY2d 436, 445.) Concur—Kupferman, J. P., Sullivan, Milonas, Rosenberger and Wallach, JJ.