The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal on Wednesday reversed a lower court’s ruling regarding the termination of a Leesville police officer, ruling that the department did not have just cause to remove her.

Colleen Townsend was fired from the Leesville Police Department on Feb. 11, 2013, for misconduct after she went to the wrong home at 2 a.m. to get Judge John Ford’s signature on a search warrant, instead going to the residence of the judge’s daughter and son-in-law.

According to the opinion, issued by Judge Phyllis M. Keaty, the couple lived down the road from Ford. Ford, who did not run for re-election and has since left office, testified that he told Townsend to enter his home, located in a rural area lacking streetlights.

Then-City Administrator Courtney Christian terminated Townsend after an internal affairs investigation that found the officer violated department policies regarding a shift member’s duties, personal conduct and behavior. Townsend was also terminated for her failure to properly report the incident, but the court found that she had called the dispatcher afterward to report it.

Townsend appealed her firing with the Leesville Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board, which upheld her termination with a 3-2 vote the following April. She then took her case to a trial court, which ruled on Oct. 24, 2013, that the board acted in good faith and had just cause to terminate.

The appeals court’s decision hinged on whether Townsend acted professionally. The Police Department was unable to prove that Townsend actually entered the incorrect residence or just shined her flashlight inside.

The city will be required to pay all costs regarding the appeal.

(MGNonline)