[blindlaw] Educating Law Enforcement

Joe Orozco jsorozco at gmail.com
Wed Mar 31 01:20:17 UTC 2010


Dear all,

On a more serious topic, what is the best course of action to take in a
situation where police officers do not know of service animal accessibility
laws, or will not enforce these laws even if they are aware of them?  A
couple of years ago I wound up suing a Chinatown curbside carrier for not
allowing my Seeing Eye dog on one of their buses.  Since that incident I
have monitored other discrimination cases where the police officers on the
scene either partially or mostly took the side of the public business,
claiming the business could refuse whoever they want or suggesting
alternative services to avoid future discrimination.  In the moment it seems
as though there is very little one can do to trump the authority of the
local police department, which seems unfair, but there must surely be
something one can do to educate what seems to be a widespread ignorance
among the law enforcement community on the issue.  Are there not standard
training procedures for most law enforcement departments?  Are there perhaps
legal maneuvers one could use to catch the attention of departments that do
not help protect the rights of service animal handlers?  With all respect,
please do not suggest my going through NAGDU.  Otherwise, thank you in
advance for any light you can shed.

Regards,

Joe Orozco

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
 

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