Federal Judge Rules Entirely for Officers in Donning and Doffing Lawsuit Against LAPD

 
The Central District Court in Los Angeles granted the Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) in the consolidated cases of Alaniz, Mata, and Nolan against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). In short, this decision is a ‘home run’ for peace officers in L.A. and LAPD employees. The ruling finds that the pre and post shift time spent putting on (or ‘donning’), taking off (or ‘doffing’), and performing other tasks associated with required special protective gear and uniforms is compensable under the federal wage law – – the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, the ruling states that it does not matter whether the donning & doffing activities occur at work or at home. This ruling could affect multiple other pending donning and doffing lawsuits, including Goyette & Associates’ Nunez suit against the City of Los Angeles and the associated class grievance for members of the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL).