Police officer sues force after being told he could not bring autism assistance dog to work

18 comments

1. “Two other officers with Hamshire police, who both suffer from PTSD, have been granted permission to bring their assistance dogs to work, the tribunal heard.

   This, however, was reportedly an exception rather than the rule.”

   If you are lacking an actual Policy and are making multiple “exceptions” you are surely de-facto creating a rule?

2. The truffle hunting game is ridiculously competitive.

3. > The tribunal heard the long-serving officer suffers from autism, ADHD, PTSD, depression and anxiety.

   Just going to throw it out there – perhaps these aren’t ideal qualities for a cop?

4. How does a dog assist someone with autism specifically?

5. This could be a bit touchy but certain conditions exclude you from being an officer, perhaps this should be included.

6. People are allowed to bring dogs to a place of work now? Fuck everyone who feels anxious around dogs or has an allergy to dogs I guess.

7. Joined in 2004 but only needed a dog in 2021? So he was able to manage well for 17 years, but inky now there’s an issue? Sounds like they’re pusing their luck to me.

   DS Parker alleges the police department created a “pressured environment” after being given questions just 30 minutes before an interview for the position of Inspector.

   So was able.to pass the Sgts promotion board without an issue but the Insp one is the problem?

8. “Crowds are a trigger for me so you can forget about that. And you better not be thinking I’ll be making arrests because confrontation affects my anxiety.”

9. This is a bit victim blamey from me tbf but if you need a personal service dog probably shouldn’t be a copper?

10. The same people annoyed at this saying he shouldn’t be working in the police force are the same types who no doubt complain at a high functioning autistic person living off disability benefits . Which one is it?

11. Maybe he can be a police officer but not front line. Definitely not…

12. Good to see a lot of ableism in the comments…. Believe it or not, neurodivergent individuals can perform well in several jobs providing the correct adjustments are given to them.

13. Can drag your arse to work for 2 decades without issue yet all of a sudden need to bring the dog with you to help your autism. Who wants a police officer who can’t function without a damn dog next to him, also with multiple mental health conditions? More of a hindrance than a help with anything and expecting to be paid to serve the public. Clearly mooching off the taxpayer with disability benefits ontop of his wage, paying for private autism diagnosis to get a dog and fake all of this. Like all the redditors with ADHD!

14. The problem is a true assistance dog has legal protection and emotional support animal doesn’t. Ie they’d have to let him have the animal if he was blind or epileptic but not for emotional support. Not saying I agree with emotional support animals having the same legal protections but that’s the law right now.

15. Friendly reminder to some commenting that not every job in the police is a front line copper, on the street and making arrests.

16. Tbh if you need a service dog you shouldn’t be a police officer

17. Welcome to the uk 🤷‍♂️ , the longer you look the worse it gets …

18. To be fair, I can see why. If he isn’t stuck behind a desk, an assistance dog would be a bit of a liability.