LA sues former officers for breach of contract

The AP reports:

The city alleges that 53 former police officers broke their employment contracts by leaving the department within five years of joining the force, and is suing them to recoup $1.6 million in training costs.

Thirty of the officers have hired an attorney to challenge the city's demand and to file a class action countersuit.

"It is unlawful under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act for any employer to ask for money back from an employee," said Jon Webster, the officers' Northern California attorney.

The city has required police recruits to sign five-year contracts since 1996, when an investigation revealed that some were leaving soon after graduating from the police academy to work for other departments. The officers agree to repay part or all of their $60,000 training cost if they leave early.

A rather interesting contract dispute.