Chron: Great HPD beard controversy almost resolved?
Remember the controversy over MayorWhiteChiefHurtt's odd beard policy?
Apparently, the matter is creeping to some resolution, according to the Chronicle's Bradley Olson:
Houston appears to be on the brink of a settlement with four black officers who filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city in November to fight the police department's no-beard policy, city officials said today.
For those who may not remember, one rationale the city had laid out for fighting the suit is that police officers, as part of their duties as first responders, must be able to wear gas masks. Because some masks cannot seal onto a person's face if they have facial hair, beards were deemed a security risk.The four officers had sued the city, saying the policy was discriminatory because shaving exacerbates a skin condition that disproportionately affects black men.
Police Chief Harold Hurtt quietly revised the policy last week to make an exception for those who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask or respirator, according to a department memo obtained by The Houston Chronicle.
There's more in the blog post.
Why in the world this policy was such a priority for MayorWhiteChiefHurtt -- at a time of increased crime, police department understaffing, and scandals involving homicide reporting and the crime lab -- remains a complete mystery.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 10/21/08 09:22 PM | Print |
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