Policeman sacked after surgery to replace hip

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 20

Policeman sacked after surgery to replace hip

PA Palmerston North A Palmerston North policeman has said he was sacked because doctors said a hip replacement meant he could not meet the force’s physicalfitness requirements.

Mr Cam Johnstone served in the Palmerston North police for 16 years, and was described by his colleagues as “invaluable” to the force. He was told in March he would have to go. A rugby injury in 1976 caused arthritis in his right hip, and in July last year it was replaced by an artificial one. Under a provision introduced in 1985, all police officers have to pass regular physical competency tests.

Mr Johnstone said he completed the course, which includes running and climbing two-metre

walls, before his surgery and was only 30sec slower than the time allowed, despite the arthritis. After the surgery, police doctors in Wellington said he would not be allowed to try the course in case he injured himself on the two-metre wall. Mr Johnstone, who was the police rugby team coach, said he got opinions from the surgeon who performed the operation and a Palmerston North police doctor, who said he could do the course if he was careful, but he was still not allowed to try. In August he went to see personnel officers at police headquarters in Wellington, but was once again told he would have to leave.

Shortly after that he was offered a job with a Palmerston North private

investigation company, Investigative Services, and left the force on September 30. Mr Johnstone said he was not bitter about the issue — financially he was better off in his new job — but said he believed he still had a lot to offer the police. Aged 41 he had 14 years to go before retirement, and said his 16 years of service, mainly in the Criminal Investigation Branch, had given him skills which would have been useful to the police.

Palmerston North’s district commander, Superintendent Mike Charles, said he was disappointed to lose Mr Johnstone’s services.

“He was a popular, capable and experienced detective.”