NYPD Yields, Not Filing Appeal in ‘Beard Case’

The NYPD has decided not to appeal the reinstatement of Hasidic police officer Fishel Litzman, following his victory in a religious discrimination lawsuit.

Litzman launched the lawsuit back in the Summer of 2013 after he was dismissed from the NYPD police academy for having a bread that was too long. Litzman claimed that he kept his beard for religious reasons and called the dismissal religious discrimination.

Initially no reason was given for his dismissal, only after filing the lawsuit did the NYPD respond that it was due to Litzmans beard length, a claim Litzman felt was discriminatory since the academy had accepted him knowing of his intentions keep his beard.

In November, Hon. Judge Harold Baer ruled that Litzman was in fact the victim of religious discrimination and ordered that he be reinstated. He has since been assigned to the 46th Precinct in the Bronx.

Today the Daily News is reporting that City lawyers quietly filed paperwork Friday opting not to appeal.

“The case is over. It’s finished. He feels good. It’s been a battle but it’s good to see the NYPD now say, ‘Enough’ and he gets to be a police officer again,” said his lawyer, Nathan Lewin told the New York Daily News.