Volunteer Police Officer Not An Employee Under FEHA.

The city of Los Angeles deems those who serve as volunteer police reserve officers as employees for the limited purpose of extending workers’ compensation benefits. The appellate court held:  “The City’s policy decision to extend workers’ compensation benefits to these individuals, who voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way on behalf of the community, does not transform the volunteers‘ status to that of ‘employee’ for purposes of FEHA [California Fair Employment and Housing Act; Government Code section 12900].” Estrada v. City of Los Angeles (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 3; July 24, 2013) 218 Cal.App.4th 143.