[blindlaw] Educating Law Enforcement

[ckrugman at sbcglobal.net]

Hi Joe,
Much depends on the jurisdiction that you are in. One option is to request a 
police supervisor such as a sergeant or contact a shift or watch commander 
to address the issue. Here in California I am familiar with a situation 
where a guide dog user was not allowed in a store with his dog and the 
police warned the business owner that the dog user could sue him and file a 
civil rights complaint. The important thing is to know the laws in each 
jurisdiction as well as the relevant sections of the ADA regarding public 
businesses and accommodations.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 6:20 PM
Subject: [blindlaw] Educating Law Enforcement


> 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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