HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A Pennsylvania appeals court says a township is allowed to discharge an officer because he lost his sense of smell in an off-duty motorcycle accident.
The Commonwealth Court ruling issued Thursday upheld Collier Township’s decision to honorably discharge Officer David Agostino.
The township near Pittsburgh says his lack of smell created a safety hazard. It says officers patrol alone and need to be able to detect drugs, alcohol, hazardous materials and natural gas leaks.
Agostino insists he’s able to perform the job. He says a sense of smell isn’t tested as part of the physical examination required to become a police officer.
The case is an appeal of a civil service commission decision to remove Agostino.
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