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Cop Sues After Being Forced to Shave for Obama

He has a skin condition, doctor's note

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 27, 2011 12:25 PM CST

(Newser) – A recently retired Baltimore cop has sued the city and its police department for forcing him to shave ahead of a visit from then-President-elect Obama. The entire department was ordered to be “clean-shaven” for Obama’s arrival, but the officer, Anthony Brown, has a skin condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae, or “razor bumps,” that can cause scarring or infection as a result of shaving, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Brown brought in a note from his dermatologist saying he “should be exempted permanently from any type of shaving requirement.” But Brown’s supervisors were unmoved. They gave the 51-year-old a disposable razor and shaving cream, and ordered him “to shave right there in front of everyone without the use of water and/or a mirror,” the lawsuit alleges. This, the suit says, resulted in “tremendous humiliation, embarrassment and mental anguish” as well as “tremendous physical pain, discomfort and disfigurement.” He’s seeking $17 million in damages.

The officer was allegedly forced to shave with a cheap disposable razor.
The officer was allegedly forced to shave with a cheap disposable razor.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 44 comments
Swen.Ardere
Jan 28, 2011 6:07 AM CST
PFB is no joke It's a potentially serious condition. Even in the military, if you are certified by the dermatologist to have PFB you do not have to maintain the razor "close" shave (but you may allow the whiskers to grow to neatly trimmed stubble length) because the consequences of PFB can be serious, including infections of the follicles on the face that can leave scars as well as cause other systemic medical problems. Whoever ordered him to shave was a complete idiot. I hope he wins his case and gets damages.
HappyHabenero
Jan 28, 2011 3:42 AM CST
17 million?.......uh no....grounds for a suit...sure...just not 17 million
CenterIndependent
Jan 27, 2011 5:32 PM CST
This is just about greed. $17 million for damages is a big clue.

 
police • lawsuit • Baltimore • shave • shaving

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