Man sues Martinsburg over police job

MARTINSBURG - An employee of the Martinsburg Police Department has filed a suit against the city, seeking nearly eight months in back pay.

Glenn F. Macher Jr. filed the suit April 10 in Berkeley Circuit Court against the City of Martinsburg.

According to the suit, Macher took the civil service test Dec. 8, 2005, after learning that there was an opening for Lieutenant in the police department. The suit says he scored the highest aggregate score.

However, in February 2006, a police sergeant who scored third from the top on the list filed an appeal with the Commission. According to the suit, the Commission held a public hearing in March and issued a written decision in April, denying the appeal.

According to the suit, the Commission certified Macher as having the highest aggregate score.

However, Macher was not promoted to the position of Lieutenant until Dec. 17, 2006. He seeks back pay from April 2006, the time of his initial certification.

Macher was informed April 19, 2007, that the city was denying his request for back pay and adjustment in benefits.

Therefore, he seeks back pay and adjustments in his pension and fringe benefits from April 10, 2006 to Dec. 7, 2006.

Attorney John C. Yoder is representing Macher. The case has been assigned to Judge Gray Silver.

Berkeley Circuit Court case number 08-C-523