March 30, 2007
ONE-ARMED MAN STILL ON THE LOOSE
WNBC is running the above story right now. Granted, some hard-hearted types might bring up the fact that it would be difficult to give hot pursuit with a peg leg. And those people would be wrong, ignorant, and not funny, no matter how amusing that mental image might be. This is the 21st Century, and artificial limbs make will and determination more important than how many appendages one might have.
Brian O'Sullivan was told in July 1999, after he had passed a written police exam, that he wasn't eligible for the NYPD because his lower right leg was amputated because of a birth deformity.
A police doctor said O'Sullivan's artifical leg would cause him difficulty performing a number of essential functions of a police officer.
In 2002, O'Sullivan, who has run a marathon, again passed the written police exam but was disqualified medically. He sued, claiming unlawful discrimination.
If you skimmed, let me reiterate: Brian O'Sullivan ran a marathon. I'm trying to think of the officer-related duties he might have trouble with, as based on what I've seen my cop acquaintances do. Sit in a van? Sit in a patrol car? Drive around? Stand around? Run more than three blocks?* Darn, I can't think of a single thing O'Sullivan isn't capable of.
* I've never actually seen an NYPD officer do this, but O'Sullivan clearly could.
Tagged: amputee, cops, nypdPosted by Lexiphane at March 30, 2007 12:13 AM
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