Man loses colour blind bias claim
Man loses colour blind bias claim
from BBC website
An aspiring policeman who had his application turned down because he was colour blind has lost his disability discrimination claim.
Robin Dixon's complaint against Strathclyde Police was rejected on a technicality as it was time-barred.
Mr Dixon, of Daer Way, Hamilton, applied to join the force in 2004.
His application was rejected despite being told by Chief Inspector Douglas Campbell that he would have made a good constable.
Mr Dixon raised his disability discrimination complaint against the force following a medical.
Good constable
He had been referred to a specialist for an examination regarding his colour vision.
Mr Dixon was later advised that his application had been referred to the director of human resources at Strathclyde Police for "consideration of reasonable adjustments which may enable you to carry out operational policing duties".
He subsequently received another letter stating that it had been decided nothing could be done.
"Consequently, I regret to inform you that I am unable to progress your application further," it said.
Mr Dixon then wrote to the chief constable and received a reply stating his application was being reviewed in respect of "colour blindness and the subsequent impact that this condition may have on your ability to carry out the roles, functions and activities of an operational constable".
He was advised at a meeting in November last year with Mr Campbell that he would have made a good police constable but his application would not be progressed.
Police circular
Mr Dixon wrote another letter to the chief constable in the hope that his case would be looked at again while his parents contacted MSP Andy Kerr. A police circular about eyesight standards was highlighted.
Strathclyde Police responded that it was for guidance only and ultimately the decision rested with the chief constable.
Mr Campbell said he explained to Mr Dixon that consideration had been given to the initial proposal that he be accompanied by other police officers while on duty, but this was not considered to be feasible.
He also explained there were concerns about not only his own health and safety but also that of other officers and the general public.
He explained there were also concerns as to the reliability and credibility of evidence, which would rely on Mr Dixon's ability to distinguish colours being called into question.
Tribunal chairman Jane Garvie found that Mr Dixon's complaint, lodged on 15 February, 2006, was outwith the three-month time limit, as the final act of alleged discrimination was on 4 November, 2005.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5260364.stm
Published: 2006/08/17 16:05:26 GMT
from BBC website
An aspiring policeman who had his application turned down because he was colour blind has lost his disability discrimination claim.
Robin Dixon's complaint against Strathclyde Police was rejected on a technicality as it was time-barred.
Mr Dixon, of Daer Way, Hamilton, applied to join the force in 2004.
His application was rejected despite being told by Chief Inspector Douglas Campbell that he would have made a good constable.
Mr Dixon raised his disability discrimination complaint against the force following a medical.
Good constable
He had been referred to a specialist for an examination regarding his colour vision.
Mr Dixon was later advised that his application had been referred to the director of human resources at Strathclyde Police for "consideration of reasonable adjustments which may enable you to carry out operational policing duties".
He subsequently received another letter stating that it had been decided nothing could be done.
"Consequently, I regret to inform you that I am unable to progress your application further," it said.
Mr Dixon then wrote to the chief constable and received a reply stating his application was being reviewed in respect of "colour blindness and the subsequent impact that this condition may have on your ability to carry out the roles, functions and activities of an operational constable".
He was advised at a meeting in November last year with Mr Campbell that he would have made a good police constable but his application would not be progressed.
Police circular
Mr Dixon wrote another letter to the chief constable in the hope that his case would be looked at again while his parents contacted MSP Andy Kerr. A police circular about eyesight standards was highlighted.
Strathclyde Police responded that it was for guidance only and ultimately the decision rested with the chief constable.
Mr Campbell said he explained to Mr Dixon that consideration had been given to the initial proposal that he be accompanied by other police officers while on duty, but this was not considered to be feasible.
He also explained there were concerns about not only his own health and safety but also that of other officers and the general public.
He explained there were also concerns as to the reliability and credibility of evidence, which would rely on Mr Dixon's ability to distinguish colours being called into question.
Tribunal chairman Jane Garvie found that Mr Dixon's complaint, lodged on 15 February, 2006, was outwith the three-month time limit, as the final act of alleged discrimination was on 4 November, 2005.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5260364.stm
Published: 2006/08/17 16:05:26 GMT
posted by Absolutely PC at 10:58 pm
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