A former Pflugerville police officer claims he was fired last summer in retaliation for reporting unlawful actions by the Police Department‘s Internal Affairs Division.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court Feb. 3, Israel Limas demands he be reinstated as a police officer, given backpay and provided compensation for court and attorney fees. The document says Limas was terminated July 5, 2019, after serving as a Pflugerville police officer for 10 years.
City Communications Director Terri Toledo said the city has a policy of not commenting on pending litigation.
In what is described as a “whistleblower case,” the lawsuit states that Limas learned the Internal Affairs Division violated city policy in its investigation procedures and disciplinary actions.
Limas had taken a leadership role in the Law Enforcement Association of Pflugerville, a police union founded in 2011 that represents officers below the rank of lieutenant. In that role, Limas expressed concerns to city administrators over union members who had been terminated or received disciplinary demotions, the lawsuit says.
Attorney John Judge, who is representing Limas in the suit, said his client was terminated for neglect of duties and untimely reporting of an incident, both of which are not listed under the Police Department‘s disciplinary matrix.
“Usually, when you’re going to be punished for something, there is something in writing saying ‘you shall not do this,’” Judge said.
Judge also said that Limas could not address those complaints with the city manager unless he signed a document waiving his rights to file suit against the city or city leadership.
“That is generally not a good practice,” Judge said of the policy. “It strikes me as punishment for being involved in a union, which is defended by the First Amendment.”
According to the lawsuit, other members of the association were transferred and demoted following Limas‘ inquiries.
Judge said the relationship between union members and police Chief Jessica Robledo became more uncivil after the union requested documents through open records requests.
“That’s one of the big problems is that (Limas) was a big vocal advocate for the union members, and the chief really didn’t like that,“ Judge said. ”The union filed a request for documents under the Open Records Act, and the chief really went off on the union after that.“
Early last year, the city reached a settlement with another former police officer who demanded compensation for caring for a police dog at his home outside of work.
The City Council in January 2019 approved the $17,500 settlement for Jefferson Schaeffer, who filed suit for money he spent to care for his K-9, Cora, away from work.
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