Photo from nymag.com.
Hey!
For all of you deaf/hoh t(w)eens dreaming of a career as a police officer, you should know that it is impossible in NYC. I'm sorry. :( Apparently, the NYPD has a policy that prevents deaf/hoh job candidates from being hired as officers if they have a hearing loss.
Even more ridiculous, the NYPD prevents officers who became deaf/hoh (after being hired) from wearing hearing aids. Beginning in 2009, the agency began a crackdown on hearing aids, forcing officers who are deaf/hoh to either retire or work without their aids.
So, many NYPD officers are hiding their hearing loss from their superiors, fearing the harsh consequences. One officer who insisted on anonymity goes as far as removing his hearing aids while on duty. But, it's not just the officers who take the imperative; the NYPD has told officers to stop wearing their hearing aids in three different cases. I don't know about you, but I can barely hear without my hearing aids. So, how can this or any officer effectively do his job aid-less (and sound-less)?
For all of you deaf/hoh t(w)eens dreaming of a career as a police officer, you should know that it is impossible in NYC. I'm sorry. :( Apparently, the NYPD has a policy that prevents deaf/hoh job candidates from being hired as officers if they have a hearing loss.
Even more ridiculous, the NYPD prevents officers who became deaf/hoh (after being hired) from wearing hearing aids. Beginning in 2009, the agency began a crackdown on hearing aids, forcing officers who are deaf/hoh to either retire or work without their aids.
So, many NYPD officers are hiding their hearing loss from their superiors, fearing the harsh consequences. One officer who insisted on anonymity goes as far as removing his hearing aids while on duty. But, it's not just the officers who take the imperative; the NYPD has told officers to stop wearing their hearing aids in three different cases. I don't know about you, but I can barely hear without my hearing aids. So, how can this or any officer effectively do his job aid-less (and sound-less)?
7 Comments
RSS Feed