The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is suing the City of Tolleson over a policy that required rookie firefighters to pay a nearly $15,000 penalty if they left the department within three years of being hired.
The lawsuit alleges that Tolleson firefighters were required to sign a contract that said they had to pay the City of Glendale Fire Academy $15,000 if they left the Tolleson Fire Department within three years of being hired.
Tolleson participated in a program that provided 13 weeks of firefighter training for recruits, the lawsuit complaint said.
The complaint said the city “falsely represents” the cost of the fire academy. The City of Glendale only charged participating agencies $4,500 per firefighter.
The Attorney General’s Office wants
to terminate the program, according to the complaint.
A City of Tolleson spokesperson did not immediately respond to comment.
David Ulloa Jr covers the southwest Valley communities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Gila Bend. Reach him at david.ulloa@azcentral.com. Follow him on Instagram & X, formerly Twitter, @davidulloa_ii.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AG Kris Mayes sues to end Tolleson's rookie firefighter penalty
