Suit: Pregnant Detroit police forced to take leave

DETROIT (AP) — Five Detroit police officers are suing the city, saying they were forced to go on sick leave when their bosses learned they were pregnant, even if they could perform other duties.

The officers, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, said they’re challenging a 2004 policy that prevents them from working unless a doctor finds they can crawl in confined spaces, jump from an elevated surface and forcibly make arrests.

The “shocking policy” violates federal law and the U.S. Constitution, the women’s lawyers said in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Detroit.

The policy “places incredible financial burden on these women, including forcing some to rely on Medicaid in order to obtain health insurance and to use food stamps to support themselves,” the lawsuit says.

A Detroit police spokesman, however, said the department’s hands are tied by an arbitrator’s ruling in 2004.

The union representing officers complained that men who were hurt off the job were being treated differently than women who became pregnant, spokesman James Tate said.

“Both ended up with their conditions while off duty,” he said. “The arbitrator sided with the union and said there should be no special consideration given to pregnant officers.”

Tags: court, lawsuit, detroit, police, pregnancy