Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS DALLAS DIVISION RODNEY BENNETT PLAINTIFF v. DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, DEFENDANT.
DEFENDANT DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS EXPERT WITNESS REPORTS NOW COMES Defendant Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD or the District), and submits its expert witness reports pursuant to this Courts Order dated March 21, 2012, granting an extension to the Defendant to file the expert witnesses reports. See attached reports of the following experts filed in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2): 1. William M. Rathburn President Rathburn & Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 930 Mineola, Texas 75773 (903) 569-9434 Report attached at Attachment 1 J. Randall Price, Ph.D. Clinical-Forensic Psychologist and Neuropsychologist Price, Proctor & Associates, LLP 11882 Greenville Avenue, Suite 107 Dallas, Texas 75243 (972) 644-8686 Report attached at Attachment 2
2.
DATED:
PAGE - 1
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Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dianna D. Bowen Dianna D. Bowen Texas Bar No. 34013778 dbowen@laborlawyers.com Meredith Prykryl Walker Texas Bar No. 24056487 mwalker@laborlawyers.com Fisher & Phillips LLP 500 N. Akard Street, Suite 3550 Dallas, Texas 75201 Telephone: (214) 220-9100 Facsimile: (214) 220-9122 ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANTS
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on this 10th day of May, 2012, I electronically filed the foregoing document with the Clerk of Court for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, using the electronic case filing system of the Court. The electronic case filing system sent a Notice of Electronic Filing to the following attorneys of record who have consented in writing to accept such Notice as service of this document by electronic means: Robert E. Goodman, Jr. Kilgore & Kilgore PLLC 3109 Carlisle Street Dallas, TX 75204 /s/ Dianna D. Bowen Dianna D. Bowen
PAGE - 2
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J. Randall Price, Ph.D., ABPP, FACPN Board Certified in Forensic Psychology Board Certified in Neuropsychology
Rodney Bennett
12/1/68
Date of Report:
Style of Case:
5/10/12
Cause No.:
Referral Source:
Attorney at Law Fisher & Phillips, LLP 500 North Akard Street Suite 3550 Dallas, Texas 75201
disability for a combat-related injur. Upon his retur to the DISD in 5/09, it was requested that he undergo a medical fitness for duty examination (FFDE) in relation to concerns regarding potential medical and psychological factors interfering with his ability to perform his duties as a police offcer with DISD. He agreed to undergo the medical FFDE, and as a result, he was found to have medical problems that would limt his ability to perform the necessar job fuctions inherent to the position of a police officer with the DISD. He was then placed in a security position until 4/1 0, when continued evidence of medical problems led to a determination that he could no longer fulfill the essential job fuctions of a police officer, and as such, he was assigned
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to a dispatcher position. He then submitted a medical evaluation form dated 4/28/1 0 that stated that his medical restrictions were removed. Also, it was requested that he undergo a psychological FFDE to ensure that his combat experiences did not create adverse psychological factors that could potentially impair his ability to perform the duties of a police offcer. He reportedly refused to undergo a psychological FFDE and failed to retur to work for his dispatcher position. He was eventually terminated for failing to retu to work after 6/23/1 0, for failing to comply with deparment and supervisor directives, for failing to comply with the requested FFDE, and for abandoning his job. Mr. Bennett has now filed litigation against the DISD for his termination and for allegations related to discrimination and a hostile work environment. This evaluator was asked to address the following two issues:
Evaluation Procedures:
This evaluator formed his opinons with regard to the aforementioned referral issues based upon his expertise and experience in conducting psychological FFDEs, a review of relevant literature, and a review of the available records. It is of note that a direct face-to-face evaluation ofMr. Bennett was not conducted, and as such, the subsequent opinions and conclusions are based solely on the aforementioned factors. It is possible that a face-to-face evaluation of Mr. Bennett might result in this evaluator forming different opinions, and as such, this needs to be considered in the scope of the opinions expressed below.
Records Reviewed:
1. Varous DISD Employment Records and Related Documents (Bate Stamped Pages 1641);
2. Medical Records from the Deparment of
1058);
3. Medical Records from Concert Health Services (Bate Stamped Pages 1679-1731);
4. Ary
6. Complaint for Rodney Bennett v. Dallas Independent School District (Cause #311CV0393-D);
7. Dallas Independent School District's Original Answer and Affrmative Defenses for
Rodney Bennett v. Dallas Independent School District (Cause #3-11CV0393-D); 8. Defendant's Initial Disclosures for Rodney Bennett v. Dallas Independent School District (Cause #3-11 CV0393-D);
9. Plaintiffs Rule 26(A)(l) Disclosure for Rodney Bennett v. Dallas Independent School
for Rodney
11. Plaintiffs Expert Witness Designation for Rodney Bennett v. Dallas Independent School District (Cause #3-1 1CV0393-D); and
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Assistace) Report for Rodney Bennett v. Dallas Independent School District (Cause #3-
i i CV0393-D).
This section summarizes the findings of this evaluator with respect to each of the two aforementioned referral issues. Each referral issue wil be addressed separately with summaries
of the relevant supporting documentation from the aforementioned sources of information.
"The essential feature of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is the development of characteristic symptoms following exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor involving direct personal experience of an event that involves actual or threatened
death or serious injur, or other threat to one's physical integrity; or witnessing an
event that involves death, injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of another
person; or learnng about unexpected or violent death, serious har, or threat of
death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate (Criterion AI). The person's response to the event must involve intense fear, helplessness, or horror (or in children, the response must involve disorganzed or agitated behavior) (Criterion A2). The characteristic symptoms resulting from the exposure to the extreme trauma include persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event (Criterion B), persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness (Criterion C), and persistent symptoms of increased arousal (Criterion D). The full symptom picture must be present for greater than 1 month (Criterion E), and the disturbance must cause clinically
significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other importt areas
of fuctioning (Criterion F)." (P.463)
Also of
paricular note within the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD are the specific symptorns of re-experiencing the event, avoidance, and increased arousaL. These include but are
. Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were recurrng (includes a sense of reliving the
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. Difficulty concentrating
. Hypervigilance
. Exaggerated starle response
Given the nature of these symptoms, it is not umeasonable to suspect that the presence of such a disorder, especially depending on its severity, could have a profound impact on a police offcer's ability to safely and effectively perform his or her essential job fuctions. Indeed, police officers are often exposed to traumatic situations durng the course of their work. While not all offcers that are exposed to trauma develop such a disorder, those that do can experience significant disruptions in their occupational and personal fuctioning. Furhermore, evidence is emerging regarding the impacts of repeated exposure to traumatic experiences, frequently referred to as posttraumatic growth. This suggests that an offcer with a history of PTSD can experience more severe symptoms with continued exposure to traumatic events. In total, it is the opinion of this evaluator that PTSD symptoms, depending on their severity, would likely have a profound impact on a police officer's ability to safely and effectively perform essential job fuctions.
Working as a police officer with PTSD in a public school setting raises heightened concern due the school setting as well as the safety of children. For example, crowds are commonplace in the hallways public schools, especially between classes and at the beginng the school day. Crowds are frequently diffcult for individuals suffering from PTSD and end of in paricular because the behavior of children in crowds can be unpredictable. Loud noises are also common, such as yellng, lockers slaming shut, and books being dropped. Such loud
to the nature of
noises are also frequently difficult for individuals with PTSD because of an exaggerated stale
response and subsequent unpredictable behavior. Additionally, in a diverse school population such as that of the DISD, many different foreign languages are often spoken which can be "triggers' for flashbacks and subsequent unpredictable behavior in individuals with PTSD.
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items endorsed by Mr. Bennett indicated that he displayed symptoms of at least moderate intensity on at least one assessment with respect to:
. Repeated disturbing memories, thoughts, or images of a stressful milita
. Suddenly acting or feeling as if a stressful milita experience from the past were happening again
. Feeling very upset when something reminded you of a military experience from
the past
. Having physical reactions (e.g. heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)
when something reminded you of a stressful military experience from the past
. Avoiding thinkng about or talking about a stressful milita experience from the
past or avoiding having feelings related to it . Avoiding activities or situations because they reminded you of a stressful
militar experience from the past
. Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy
. Feeling emotionally numb or being unable to have loving feelings for those close to you
. Trouble falling or staying asleep
The PCL-M also asks "How difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?" Mr. Bennett responded with "Very difficult" to this question (Criterion F). It is of note that all of the available assessments done regarding PTSD symptoms appear to be based on Mr. Bennett's self-report. As such, his reported symptoms may be subject to exaggeration or
feignng of
included performance on an effortmalingering measure (i.e., the Rey 15-Item Test) on which his score fell below the commonly accepted cutoff for adequate effortgenuine impairment.
Mr. Bennett was discharged from the militay on disability status in association with a diagnosis of PTSD (70%) as well as other varous physical conditions. He has also undergone extensive treatment for PTSD at the V A Medical Center including consultation with a psychiatrist, taking multiple psychotropic medications, and attending over 75 sessions of a PTSD support group. In total, it is the opinion of this evaluator that Mr. Bennett likely suffers from PTSD now and during the time period of 5/5/09 to 8/10/11.
As was noted above, this evaluator formed his opinions with regard to the referral issues based upon his expertise and experience in conducting psychological PFDEs, a review of
the available records. A direct face-to-face evaluation of Mr. Bennett was not conducted, and as such, the opinions and conclusions are based solely on the aforementioned factors. It is possible that a face-to-face evaluation ofMr. Bennett might result in this evaluator forming different opinions, and as such, this needs to be considered in the scope of the opinions expressed above. Also, this evaluator reserves the right to modify or change his opinions and conclusions regarding the referral issues if additional information becomes available that would warrant such changes.
relevant literature, and a review of
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No. 1110092
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Side:
DF=Defense;
PL=Plaintiff;
PR=Prosecution;
RS=Respondent;
CT=Court
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1/9/12
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3/5112
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12936-CV
4/30/12
Criminal
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DF=Defense;
PL=Plaintiff;
PR=Prosecution;
RS=Respondent;
CT=Court
C=WC Canier
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject: Attachments:
Ms. Bowen,
Attached please find my expert report in the matter of Rodney Bennett. My fee for all services rendered, including records review, consultation, evaluation, and testimony is $300 per hour. I am also attaching a list of cases in which I have testified.
Dr. Price
1. Randall Price, Ph.D., ABPP, FACPN Board Certified in Forensic Psychology Board Certified in Neuropsychology jrp48@sbcglobal.net
PRICE, PROCTOR & ASSOCIATES, LLP A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP OF BOARD CERTIFIED FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGISTS 11882 Greenville Ave., Suite 107-Dallas, Texas 75243 Telephone: 972-644-8686-Facsimile: 972-644-8688
Email: WMRathburn@aol.com
May 9,2012
i am submittng this report in response to your request for me to review materials related to this case and to render opinions on the issues involved. My opinions are preliminary at this time and I reserve the right to supplement the report as additional information becomes available and causes me to alter any of my opinions or to form additional opinions.
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE I was a police offcer for almost 30 years and, for over 25 years, was as a supervisor or manager. I was a member of the Los Angeles Police Department for over 27 years and rose through the ranks to Deputy Chief. I was recruited for and served as Chief of the
Dallas Police Department for two years. In addition to my formal education and the
regular training for police offcers, supervisors and managers, I attended several special
Managerial Policy Institute at the University of Southern California and the MidManagement Institute at the Industrial Relations Center of the California Institute of
Technology.
May 9,2012
MATERIALS REVIEWED
1. Complaint;
Defenses
3. Defendant's Initial Disclosures;
4. Plaintiffs Rule 26(A)(1) Disclosure;
FACTUAL SITUATION Rodney Bennett was a police offcer at the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) when he was called to active duty as a member of the Texas National Guard. Bennett was injured while deployed in Iraq when his vehicle was struck by an RPG. After his retirement from the military, Bennett sought to be reemployed as a Police Offcer with
the DISD. He was reinstated on May 20, 2009, but was subsequently terminated on
August 31, 2010.
OPINIONS On July 19, 2008, Bennett sent DISD Police Chief Blackburn an email informing him.....1 was involved in an RPG attack and my body got beat up pretty good. Due to my injuries
my military orders had been extended until I am back in original condition. I am currently in the hospital on a military base in Fort Benning, GA." (Bennett Responsive
Documents 483). Chief Blackburn replied to Bennett saying "It was great to hear from
you. I am sorr that you were injured but I am glad to hear that you are recovering. We
look forward to your return. Give me a call when you get your cell phone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you." (Bennett Responsive Documents 482 and 483).
Accrding to his own statement, Bennett had sent pictures showing his injuries to other
members of the DISD Police Department while he was stil deployed. (Bennett's
Complaint of Discrimination and Hostile work environment-DISD/R. Bennett 0280).
2
May 9,2012
By the time Bennett sought reemployment with DISD, it is my opinion that it was well known to Chief Blackburn, as well as to others on the DISD Police Department, that Bennett had been seriously injured while he was on military leave from OISD.
My understanding is that Bennett met with Chief Blackburn and Director of Operations Rene Ronquillo in May of 2009 seeking reemployment. He was told that he would have to go through the return to duty process with Benefits Outlook, a DISD contractor, and that any work restrictions would have to be addressed. On May 19, 2009, Bennett went
to a doctor of his own choosing for a physical fitness evaluation and it was determined that he had significant restrictions, restrictions that, in my opinion, would have
convinced a reasonable person that Bennett could not be deployed as a DISD Police Offcer. These restrictions were as follows: "No Walking or Running for Long periods of time. Unable to jump from elevated surfaces. Unable to jump over obstacles such as ditches, streams or fences; balance on
uneven or narrow surfaces.
duties."
"These restrictions are in place for 6 months."
The DISD Police Department utilizes a Position Description for Police Offcer (DISD/R. Bennett 0344-0345) that defines the job requirements including the following:
"Physical Demands:"
"The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essentials functions of this job."
"While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for long periods of time; communicate verbally and electronically; hear
radio, alarm, and voice communication; use hands to finger, handle, or feel
objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stand and move
throughout the building and/or to other facilities; and drive. Regularly required to bend, crouch, stoop, kneel, and/or crawl; climb; and balance. Must be able to maintain emotional control under stress. Frequently required to lift or exert force
of up to 25 pounds."
"Work Environment"
"The environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:"
"The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, May be required
to control sudden/extreme physical acts of others and exhibit rapid mental and
3
May 9,2012
It is my opinion that key members of DISD Police Department staff were justifiably concerned about Bennett's finess to perform the duties of a Police Officer because of his physical restrictions listed in his medical evaluation. Bennett was initially assigned to a sedentary position in plain clothes that was created to accmmodate his physical limitations. He was told he would be in that less demanding position until he could clear
the medical examination to establish that he was physically able to perform the duties of
Police Offcer. He was also told that, before he could return to allowed to work in a
Police Officer position, he would have to get a release from the VA; that he would have
to catch up on any Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Offcer Standards and
Education (TCLEOSE) training that he missed while on military deployment; and that he
allowed Bennett to perform in a Police Offcer position when it was clearly established that he had received serious and traumatic injuries and stil had major physical
limitations that would affect his ability to perform in a Police Offcer position.
It is a long-standing practice for police departments to reassign police offcers to
sedentary positions when they are not physically able to perform in a regular police
offcer position. Police departments also routinely require police offcers returning from
extended time off for any reason to complete any TCLEOSE training they missed so
they are fully prepared to perform the duties of the position. Laws and techniques
change and offcers must be trained in those changes. Although Bennett stated he had
a TCLEOSE waiver, it is my opinion that he still needed the training he had missed
before being put back into a Police Offcer position. In my opinion, any TCLEOSE
waiver was for the continuing education requirements but not a blanket exemption for essential training he might have missed.
It has been widely reported by the news media that many returning soldiers who
received serious injuries in combat had also suffered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD). In my opinion, given the seriousness of Bennett's injuries, it was not only
reasonable but also necessary for DISD to require an evaluation to determine Bennett's psychological fitness to perform the duties of a Police Offcer.
One of the TCLOESE requirements for licensing as a police offcer is that the applicant
be examined by a psychologist or psychiatrist and determined to be in satisfactory psychological and emotional health to perform in the position. Texas Administrative
Code, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 217(a)(12). Police departments have always interpreted
this requirement not as a static one that requires satisfactory psychological and emotional health only at the licensing stage but rather a continuing requirement for
offcers to maintain satisfactory psychological and emotional health while on the job. In
my opinion, negligent retention liability exposure also forces departments to ensure that
offcers maintain satisfactory psychological and emotional health.
May 9,2012
It is a standard procedure or practice for police departments to require a physical and/or psychological reexamination when there is any indication that there might be limitations
to the ability of a Police Offcer to perform the duties and functions of the job. It is my
experience and strong conviction that departments must err on the side of caution in an effort to protect the officer as well as those in the community whom he is expected to
serve. In my opinion, a reasonable person would have taken the same or similar
precautions before returning Bennett to a field Police Offcer position by requiring him to undergo examinations to determine both physical and psychological fitness to perform
the duties of a Police Offcer. The authority, duties and responsibilities of a Police
Offcer, who is armed and is allowed to use deadly force under limited circumstances, are so significant that any police department must do everyhing it can to ensure that any person with such awesome authority, duties and responsibilities is both physically
and psychologically fit to perform.
It is my understanding that Bennett was, in fact, reemployed as a Police Officer and was
being paid as a Police Officer although he was temporarily deployed in the less
demanding position of unarmed Security Guard. It is my understanding that this was intended to be a temporary assignment until his fitness for duty was reestablished. It is my opinion that Bennett was not discriminated against in any way but rather that DISD was merely taking reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure that he was physically and psychologically capable of performing in a Police Offcer position before putting him in one. Particularly in a school Police Offcer position which requires the interaction with and protection of school kids, it is my opinion that it was essential for DISD to verify that Bennett was capable of doing the job before he was put into a Police Offcer position.
Bennett's claim that no one else had ever been put into a Security Guard position upon returning from military leave may be correct but it is my opinion that DISD would have taken the same step with anyone who had undergone the injuries that Bennett had
suffered. In my opinion, the DISD actions were simply the reasonable and responsible
steps for any police department to have taken. It is my opinion and experience that the DISD action in placing Bennett in a less demanding position until his fitness for duty medical was established was consistent with the general industry standard and practice.
Rights Act (USERRA) contained in Title 38, United States Code, at chapter 43. (Sections 4301 through 4333) generally provides for reemployment rights following
equivalent in seniority, status, and pay consistent with the circumstances of such
person's case." (US Code, Title 38, Section 4313(a)(2)(3)(A&B)).
DISD reemployed Bennett as a Police Offcer with Police Offcer pay. They then
temporarily assigned him to a different, less demanding position until his fitness for Police Offcer duty could be reestablished. In my opinion, such action by DISD was reasonable and necessary and was not a violation of any right Bennett had under USERRA.
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William M. Rathburn
May 9,2012
USERRA requires "reasonable efforts" to accommodate those returning with disabilities. Before DISD could attempt to make reasonable efforts to accmmodate Bennett, it was necessary for DISD to know what his disabilities were and what performance limitations he might have. DISD staff ordered him to obtain both a physical fitness evaluation and
a psychological fitness evaluation because of the nature and severity of his injuries.
Once he received a physical fitness return to work, Bennett then refused the DISD order to submit to a psychological evaluation for fitness. In my opinion, nothing in USERRA or any other law allows a person to knowingly withhold information on a disability that might affect the ability of the person to perform the duties of his job. In my opinion, that is what Bennett tried to do by refusing to undergo a psychological fitness evaluation.
Bennett knew he had received a Disability Rating of 70%, that was approved on January 5, 2009, and his Army retirement was effective on March 30, 2009. The disability rating was 50% for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (DISD/Bennett 1748). It is
my opinion that Bennett refused to undergo the psychological fitness evaluation simply because he was trying to hide his PTSD disability. In my opinion, there is nothing to
support Bennett's charge that DISD discriminated against him because of his miliary
service that prevented his return to a Police Offcer position.
The USERRA website lists a number of responses to "Frequently Asked Questions." In my opinion, there are two particularly relevant questions and responses that are I have
quoted below:
job skills
may have been dulled by a long period without use. A person must be (or become)
qualified to do the job to have reemployment rights, but USERRA requires the
employer to make "reasonable efforts" to qualify that person. "Reasonable efforts" means actions, including training, that don't cause undue hardship to the employer. If a person can't become qualified in the positions described in #13 after reasonable efforts by the employer, and if not disabled, the person must be employed in any other position of lesser status and pay, which he or she is qualified to perform, with full seniority. (Section 4313)."
returns from military service and is suffering from a disability that cannot be
accommodated by reasonable employer efforts, the employer is to reemploy the person in some other position he or she is qualified to perform and which is the 'nearest approximation' of the position to which the person is otherwise entitled, in
terms of status and pay, with full seniority."
It is my opinion that these two responses make it clear that USERRA recognizes and allows for situations such as Bennett's and that they support my conclusion that DISD actions were appropriate under the USERRA law.
It was subsequently determined that Bennett had been treated by Dr. Lindsey S. Pershern, MD and, in a letter dated January 14, 2010, he stated that he had been
treating Bennett since February 2009 and that Bennett had a diagnosis of Posttraumatic
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May 9,2012
Stress Disorder (PTSD). He went on to say that Bennett"... is receiving treatment with medications and is involved in psychotherapy through our trauma services team. He is currently taking Venlafaxine, Prazosin, Zolpidem and Clonazepam to target symptoms of anxiety, depressed mood and insomnia related to nightmares." (Bennett Production Responses 247). Dr. Pershern went on to say that Bennett"... was not a risk to himself or others and does not have a history of these behaviors" and that "He does not have limitations in regards to work at this time." There is no indication that Dr. Pershern was familiar with the duties and responsibilties of a Police Offcer or that he had seen the
prevent him from performing as a Police Offcer but it is my opinion that Dr. Pershern's report would have caused a reasonable person to have insisted on a medical evaluation
on the overall psychological fitness issue. It is possible that Bennett may have been
eligible to return to work as a Police Ofcer had he submitted the report from Dr. Pershem to DISD so it could be considered. He did not. He also continued to refuse a psychological evaluation for fitness to perform as a Police Offcer until he was terminated. It is interesting to note that Bennett failed to list the medications Dr. Pershern said he
was taking when he had the following Concentra Medical Center physical examinations for fitness: On May 15, 2009, Bennett only listed Etodolac and Ibuprofen (DISD/R. Bennett 1725); On January 5,2010, he only listed Ibuprofen (DISD/R. Bennett 1703);
On April 6,2010, he only listed Lisinopril and Ibuprofen (DISD/R. Bennett 1691); and
On April
28, 2010, he only listed Lisinopril and Ibuprofen (DISD/R. Bennett 1715).
Texas Government Code Section 613.002.(b)(2) clearly states that a returning miltary service member must be "... physically and mentally qualified to perform the duties of that position." That physical and mental fitness was exactly what DISD was trying to determine. The Texas Government Code requirements are incorporated in the DISD policies and procedures identified as DECB (DISD/R. Bennett 0573).
After reviewing all of the emailsandotherdocumentsthatwereprovidedtome.itis my opinion that staff from the DISD Police Department and other several other DISD departments recognized from the outset that the reemployment of Bennett had to be
handled carefully and in compliance with the law. There were numerous people with a wide range of backgrounds and responsibilities who participated in the decision-making process at various stages including the School Attorney, a retired military Colonel who was the Executive Director of Human Resources at the time, and the Chairperson of the American with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee. In my opinion, there is nothing to support that this entire disparate group conspired to and discrminated against Bennett
May 9,2012
position of Police Offr. Had he cooperated, his fitness to return to a Police Officer
position would have been quickly established, any work restrictions or limitations assessed and an informed decision made regarding how best to support Bennett's
recovery and to utilize his services during and after that process.
I have carefully reviewed the report by plaintiffs expert witness William Genet and find the report to be without much, if any, merit. Genet may be a good peer counselor but
Under Opinion #1, Genet states that "NYPD returnees are given services of
psychological evaluation coupled with a standard medical evaluation." In my opinion, what Genet failed to grasp was the point that the returnee must cooperate to allow such evaluations and must submit to them. DISD sought to have Bennett evaluated in the same manner as NYPD; however, Bennett did not cooperate, hid the fact that he had PTSD and refused an order to submit to a psychological evaluation.
In Opinion #2, Genet seems to claim to have counseled 5,000 police personnel in the ten months following the World Trade Center attacks. Even if he worked 60 hours a week for the entire ten months, he would have only had approximately 2600 hours available for such counseling. That would have allowed for little more than 30 minutes per counseling session. He also talks about police offcers and soldiers as "Warriors." In my opinion, the role of DISD school police offcer is clearly not one of a "Warrior" and
such a characterization would surely disturb parents and staff alike. In my opinion, the
DISD police offcer position in not at all similar to that of a NYPD offcer.
Genet also stated that NYPD and other departments "... are adopting practices and
policies that encourage our warriors to step forward and utilize the available resources
to get help early and avoid the stigmatization of continued accumulation of stress from traumatic events." Again, in this case, such assistance from DISD was not possible because of Bennett's refusal to cooperate.
In Opinion #3, Genet seems to indict DISD staff in general, and Lieutenant Howard in particular, based solely on Bennett's complaint. His opinion that DISD "...did not follow appropriate procedures and practices in connection with Mr. Bennett's return from active duty..." is offered without any support except from Bennett's complaint.
It is my understanding and experience that the standard practice for police departments
in reemploying personnel returning from any leave of absence is to require fitness physical and psychological evaluations. If nothing else, Genet's report seems to
support that point.
In my opinion, the fact that Bennett was a Dallas Independent School District Police Offcer imposed a greater responsibility on the Police Department staff to ensure psychological fitness before letting him return to a Police Offcer position. DISD police
offcers must constantly interact with children and must be in crowded hallways and
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May 9,2012
classrooms where it is essential that they maintain a calm demeanor and composure in
every situation to prevent unnecessarily exciting the children involved. They also must handle diffcult emotionally and physically demanding situations with restraint to prevent escalation.
After Bennett received a physical return to work assessment, the DISD Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Committee (ADAAC) reviewed the situation and concluded that Bennett was physical able to perform the essential functions of the police offcer position but that he needed to be psychologically evaluated. The Committee recommended
Bennett was reassigned to the Police Dispatcher position effective May 3, 2010
a Dispatcher and he worked the position on May 14, 2010. Bennett then changed his
mind and submitted an email to Assistant Chief Avera and Betty Kosters on May 17, 2010, in which he respectfully declined the position (DISD/R. Bennett 0292). He later stopped reporting for duty and, in effect, abandoned his position with the DISD Police Department. Bennett was also insubordinate by failing to report for a psychological examination on July 22, 2010, after being given a direct order to do so. In my opinion,
(DISD/R. Bennett 0004). Bennett and his attorney agreed to accpt the assignment as
the DISD staff was as supportive and accommodating as they possible could be in
assisting Bennett but he made the decision not to cooperate and not to follow lawful orders.
Bennett was terminated effective on September 30, 2010. The reasons for the
termination listed in a letter from Dr. Claudia Rodriquez, Ph.D., the DISD Executive
Director of Human Resources, were listed as follows:
"Your last day of reporting to your assignment was June 23, 2010- you failed to report to work since then.
You failed to comply with department and supervisor directives/requirements. You failed to comply with a fitness for duty exam. You abandoned your position." (DISD/R. Bennett 0066-0067).
Bennett was given 15 days to file a grievan challenging the termination or it would become finaL. The termination document (DISD/R. Bennett 0001) shows that he chose not to utiize that administrative appeal process to challenge his termination thereby, in
my opinion, failing to exhaust his administrative remedies.
CONCLUSION It is my opinion that DISD actions in reemploying Bennett were reasonable, necessary
and appropriate and that they were consistent with the practices that other police
departments would have utilized under similar circumstances. DISD made numerous
and consistent efforts to assist Bennett in returning to a Police Offcer position but he refused to submit to a psychological examination for fitness and stopped reporting to work thereby abandoning his position with DISD. He was subsequently terminated.
It is my opinion that Bennett's refusal to comply with DISD directives and requirements
led to his termination and that there is insuffcient evidence to support that there was
any discrimination based on military service, disability or anything else.
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May 9,2012
CASES WITH TESTIMONY AS AN EXPERT WITNESS I have testified as an expert witness in trial or by deposition in only the following case
State of Texas vs. Larry Finney Dallas County District Court NO.7 Cause No. F09-41136
COMPENSATION Compensation for my expert witness services is $275 per hour plus expenses.
This is a preliminary report and may have to be supplemented when more information is
available.
Wiliam M. Rathburn
Rathburn & Associates, Inc.
Attachments
1-Resume of William M. Rathburn
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May 9,2012
WilLIAM M. RATHBURN
P.O. Box 930 Mineola, Texas 75773
903-569-9434
FAX 903-569-2648
Email: WMRathburn@aol.com
Professional Experience:
President
Rathburn and Associates, Incorporated
Since 1996
Assisted the Greek government with security planning for 2004 Olympic Games as a
consultant to the U.S. State Department under the Anti-Terrorism Assistance
other security issues. Licensed as a Qualified Security Manager by the Private Security Bureau of the
Texas Department of Public Safety (License No. A11122).
1996 Olympic Games. Managed a $100 million budget and an Olympic Games security staff of more than 17,000. Coordinated the activities of 52 law enforcement agencies providing support for the Games. Oversaw and administered all security
operations for the largest Olympic Games in history with over 10,000 athletes and
8.6 million spectators.
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May 9,2012
Chief of Police
Dallas, Texas Police Department
Had line command over five divisions (Southwest, Southeast, 77th Street, Harbor
and South Traffc) that comprise South Central Los Angeles and the Los Angeles
Harbor area. With a force of 1300 sworn and civilian employees, had direct
responsibility for policing an area of 58 square miles with an ethnically diverse
population of 550,000. The area had approximately 20,000 identified gang members and experienced almost one homicide every day.
Had line command of Personnel Division, Training Division, Behavioral Science Services Section and the Evaluation and Administration Secion. Had responsibility
for all centralized training, including recruit, in-service, supervisory and
management. Had responsibilty for all centralized personnel functions, including background investigation, employee records management, medical liaison and psychological services. Served as chairman of several Police Department boards
and committees including those covering the use of force by Police Department
personnel, awards for exceptional service and uniforms and equipment.
Responsible for developing policies on offcer tactics, for preparing final adjudication
reports on hundreds of offcer-involved shootings and other use-of-force cases, and for evaluating the offcers' use of force and tactics for training and policy purposes.
Commanding Officer, Support Services Bureau March 1985 to June 1986
Had line command over six support divisions, including Communications, Automated
May 9,2012
Directly advis and assisted the Chief of Police on a wide range of issues.
Developed a plan to improve safety and security for major athletic events at the Los
Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
negotiated a $25.5 million budget, staffed the planning unit, acquired necessary
equipment, completed detailed security plans and oversaw the delivery of all police and emergency service for what was then the largest and most successful Olympic
Games in history. Chaired an Interagency Security Planning Committee with
the traffc staff function. Responsible for developing traffc policies and procedures and served as the Police Department spokesperson on traffc matters. Represented the Police Department on the Los Angeles County Peace Offcers' Association
Traffic Committee, the California Peace Offcers' Association Traffic Committee and
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May 9,2012
Education:
Association
Member California Governor's Advisory Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Former Member Speaker/Lecturer - Numerous presentations on security,
street gangs, special event security and crowd management.
Awards:
Golden Torch News Maker of Year Award for 1992 African American Men against Narcotics
Order of the Rings Award, International Olympic Committee
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