Lawsuit Filed for Skin Condition Abuse

The Baltimore Sun has reported that a former police officer has filed a lawsuit due to being forcibly shaved, by order of the Baltimore Police Department, to prepare for a visit from President Barack Obama in 2009.

Anthony L. Brown, an 18-year veteran officer with the Baltimore Police Department, was prepared to do his job keeping the crowds under control and the president safe from harm.  But when told by his superiors that being presentable meant being "clean shaven" he balked at the idea. 

Brown suffers from a medical condition known as psedofolliculitis barbae, also called razor bumps, that causes him to incur infection and scarring if he shaves.

His diagnosis did not prevent the department from enforcing compliance from all officers that were to be involved in the presidential detail.

Brown is suing the city, its police department and supervisors in a $17 million lawsuit filed in Baltimore Circuit Court.

Just a few hours before President Obama's scheduled visit on January 17, 2009, the lawsuit alleges that two officers, Sergeant Allen Adkins and Lieutenant John Windle, forced Brown to shave - directly in front of watching personnel during the morning's roll call.

The suit also alleges that Baltimore Police Department supervisors had a yellow plastic Bic razor, and a small bottle of shaving cream, ready to do the task.  Then they ordered Brown to shave, without a mirror or any water, "right then and there."

During the incident Brown was also not allowed to use the bathroom.

Brown said that the entire event created "tremendous humiliation, embarrassment and mental anguish."  It also severely aggravated his skin, leaving him with "…physical pain, discomfort and disfigurement."

Brown, a member of the Warrant Apprehension Task Force, said that after complaining he began to receive poor evaluations on his performance and was no longer offered overtime.  He also felt that his skin condition allowed others to discriminate against him.

George N. Nilson, the city's solicitor refused comment as well as the Baltimore police.

The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology describes Brown's condition, which is common among black-skinned men, as an ailment where curly facial hair bends back into the skin after being cut.  They suggest that sufferers grow a beard or shave no more than every other day.  If the man chooses to shave, they suggest that he not cut too close.

Brown said that his ailment had been disclosed to the city at the onset of his career and that this was the first time that he had ever been ordered to shave. 

On January 13 he was told he that must correct his "shaving profile" by a sergeant.  Brown returned to the department the next day, prepared with a letter from Dr. Larry H. Gatson that read, "In my professional opinion he should be exempted permanently from any type of shaving requirement."

Three days later, Windle ignored the letter, and ordered all of the officers to be "clean-shaven" before Obama's arrival.  Brown, raising his hand in protest, was rebuffed. He did his best to shave from home and his superiors, not deeming the job satisfactory, ordered the second shaving at roll call.

Brown "reluctantly" retired from the department on August 13, 2009.

You may be rightfully due monetary compensation if someone has injured you.  Click here to contact a personal injury lawyer from our database.