City Council: quandary over HPD Lawsuit

Today at council, your various elected officials engaged in a lively discussion over whether to spend $150,000 in hiring outside legal counsel over a lawsuit brought on by several HPD officers over the no facial hair policy.  The controversy began back in 2005, when Chief Harold Hurtt issued a dept. dress code that included requiring officers to be clean shaven.

A lawsuit was filed last year by several officers who alleged the policy was discriminatory.  Now, the City wants to hire outside counsel.  Should it spend the money? Depend on which council member you asked.  Just about everyone had an opinion, ranging from supporting the chief to getting rid of the policy so the lawsuit could disappear.

But, perhaps the most interesting comment came from Council Member Jarvis Johnson.  In speaking about the public safety aspect of a clean shaven face, Johnson didn't really buy the fact that this is a public safety issue.  Saying something to the effect:  "I'm thinking the health of some of the police officers are a bigger issue.  Maybe we need to institute a physical fitness policy.  There are some really big guys on the force."

Okay. Now.. back to the counsel payment debate, we are set set to vote on it next week.