PHOENIX (AP) -- Mesa is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review an Arizona Supreme Court ruling that found the city's random drug-testing policy for firefighters unconstitutional.
Mesa Fire Department Capt. Craig Petersen filed the case in 2001 and the policy never took effect because of his challenge.
If the U.S. Supreme Court decides to hear the case, several other cities and organizations said they will support Mesa's position including Phoenix, Peoria, Kingman, the International Municipal Lawyers Association, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the National League of Cities.
In a ``friend of the court'' brief, those cities and organizations can state why Petersen's case and its current conclusion would have a profound effect on public safety and government.
Most Arizona cities have some type of random testing policy for some employees.
The state Supreme Court ruled for the firefighter's privacy in a 5-0 decision in January.
The backing of the other cities is essentially a lobbying tool that could help persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the case over the 130 other petitions it receives every week.
``It impacts every governmental entity in the state of Arizona and it may impact states and municipalities across the nation,'' Mesa City Attorney Debbie Spinner said.
``I don't care how many cities, towns or governments are in on it,'' said Petersen, 49. ``It if it's the wrong premise on the wrong foundation, it will all crumble.''
