Posted on 03/07/2009 2:16:01 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
A former Army paratrooper on a mission to join the NYPD despite a felony gun conviction scored an almost perfect grade on the entrance exam, his lawyer said Monday.
Spec. Osvaldo Hernandez earned a 98.235 on his June test - which includes a 5-point credit for his military service in Afghanistan, lawyer James Harmon said.
That places Hernandez 25th on the list of applicants. "He got a very high score. He's a thoughtful guy. He's an intelligent guy," Harmon said.
"We expect that Hernandez's number will come up for selection consideration in the coming months."
Hernandez, 26, of Corona, Queens, has been determined in his pursuit of an NYPD badge, although he was sentenced to eight months in jail after a 2002 bust for carrying a loaded gun in his car.
NYPD policy bars police brass from hiring applicants with felony convictions.
In November, the decorated soldier - who served his country with the 82nd Airborne Division - convinced the judge and the prosecutor who put him behind bars he was a changed man.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron granted Hernandez a "relief of civil disability" certificate, restoring Hernandez's right to carry a gun. The Department of Probation granted Hernandez a certificate of good conduct, prompting Queens Assistant District Attorney Robert Masters to also throw his support behind the judge's decision.
NYPD officials refused to comment Monday but have said previously Hernandez was fighting an uphill battle.
"Regardless of relief from civil disabilities, NYPD policy bars the employment of a convicted felon," department spokesman Paul Browne has said.
Hernandez's supporters say he's a proven patriot.
"I truly believe the way that he served his country ... [is] the way I believe that he would serve the City of New York," said retired homicide Detective Randy Jurgensen, who investigated Hernandez's background.
As he waits to find out if he can join the NYPD, Hernandez is starting a new job as an apprentice to Local 1 of the Plumbers Union. He was accepted as part of a program designed to help veterans reenter the workforce.
I have read your entire post, and don’t disagree with anything you said thereof, though the subject of the article should be SOL, imho.
“When a poster tells me to stick it, I’ll come back loaded for bear.
I agree with this and seriously considered excerpting the entire anal aspect of the thread between you and the other party, bur in all honesty, didn’t want to screw with homemade html. for that I apologize, and ask all viewers of this thread to take a look at what I excerpted, and the prior comments.
This post abbreviated due to local time and availability (too much beer, no more FR!!)
The punk was given a break and allowed in the military, I would think he should make the most of it and re-up.
But if you handle it that way, where is the disincentive against passing unConstitutional laws? How does the infringement of rights during the time the law was in force get compensated?
I was in this guys platoon at Bragg. I haven’t met many Paratroopers like Hernandez. Outstanding Paratrooper. I feel lucky to have served with him.
Thank you for the note.
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