Grace is a police officer with the Washington County Police Department. Anti-abortion protestors announce that they are going to hold rallies at medical clinics where abortions are performed in Washington County. The police department decides to assign police officers to guard the clinics. Grace tells the chief of police that her strong religious beliefs opposing abortion prevent her from guarding a clinic. The chief tells Grace that he will not assign her to guard a clinic and that she can patrol elsewhere during the rallies. During one of the rallies a riot occurs at one of the clinics and police reinforcements are called to the scene. Grace is one of the officers who is called to assist the officers already guarding the clinic. She refuses to respond to the emergency call and is fired. Grace claims religious discrimination.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The police department had a legitimate need in response to an emergency situation, which could not be accommodated without causing undue hardship. The department had accommodated Grace's request by assigning her to patrol elsewhere during the rallies, but in this case, responding to the emergency call was an essential function of her job that could not be waived.

Grace Is a Police Officer with the Washington County Police