Police Association Files Lawsuit To Stop Removal Of Health Benefits

A lawsuit has been filed to keep city retirees from losing health insurance benefits.

The El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association is suing the city on behalf of two El Paso Police officers – Ron Martin and Virginia Jimenez and her domestic partner, Mayela Arzipe.

A judge has already filed a temporary restraining order, meaning the city will be kept from putting the new law into effect on Jan. 1.

El Pasoans for Traditional Family Values successfully put a measure on the November ballot to end benefits for gay and unmarried partners of city employees. Voters approved the item but the vague wording meant others would be stripped of their health benefits.

At this time, city officials said they can’t comment because of pending litigation.

Pastor Tom Brown, who spearheaded putting the item on the ballot, told ABC-7 he and his group are completely opposed to the lawsuit and that it’s only an effort to try and defy the will of the people.

The police association said they’re in the process of adding more names to the lawsuit, including six municipal judges and a retired police officer.