New York – Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Assembly Member Dov Hikind have released the following statements regarding the candidacy of NYPD recruit, Fishel Litzman. Mr. Litzman was dismissed from the force because of his beard, which he maintains in accordance with religious tenets.
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“The NYPD does a tremendous job protecting our city, but it has done itself a profound disservice by disqualifying Fishel Litzman. By many accounts, Mr. Litzman is one of the most impressive candidates in his class, and should not be barred from serving on account of his religious observance,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. “We can only maintain the best-qualified police force in the world if we evaluate candidates like Mr. Litzman on their merits. I urge the Department to reconsider his candidacy.”
“I have always vocally supported the NYPD and the sensational job they do. This is one instance where I think a misinterpreted technicality is getting in the way of doing the right thing. Fishel Litzman joined the police academy with a beard. He continues to wear a beard not as a preference of style but rather out of respect to his religious tenets. Here in New York City, we respect cultural diversity and this is a terrific opportunity to express that respect. Litzman’s beard won’t stop him from performing his duties effectively and efficiently. I call on the NYPD to reconsider Mr. Litzman’s candidacy for the police department,” said Assembly Member Dov Hikind.”
Below video Congressman Jerry Nadler commenting on Litzman:
Below video CNN report.
He should also manicure his beard to make it presentable.
I know Fishel Litzman .. He applied for NYPD 5 years ago .. He was a paramedic with Maimonides for the last 6 years .. the benefits don’t mach up and he couldn’t see supporting his family on it ..
He’s is the perfect candidate for NYPD .. They screened him to wazoo and even made a trip to Monsey to knock on his neighbor’s door before they accepted him … he scored ahead of 98% of his class … Almost completed the academy which ends fri 6/28/12 .. There is a reason Nat Lewin is accepting the case..
Can private companies have such rules?
He has been fighting with them since he joined the academy in January. Kelly himself personally signed off on his termination, and I’m sure he thought about the consequences. I find it hard to believe that he will be reinstated. I am also sure there is a paper trail outlying all sorts of violations and they will deny it has anything to do with his beard.
That is not even a full beard it is completely trimmed. There must be something more to this story they’re not telling us. The hassidic police officer Witriol, has a trimmed beard just like him and he even wears big thick peyos under his ears that would just as well pose a security problem to wear a mask but they never made any issue about it, something does not add up here.
i don’t understand why this is n issue, i work in the frum world and am frum and have been told by our own that they will not hire me because of my beard, this has happened a number of times.
Criminals can tug on the unkempt beard and it is to protect the cops that the police department has strict rules. If they made an exception for an Arab, you would complain. Rules are rules for everyone!