Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Female firearms officers win £70,000 payout...because their guns were too big for their small hands
Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 17th February 2014 | Larisa Brown

Posted on 02/17/2014 2:37:26 PM PST by naturalman1975

Two ‘petite’ firearms officers are set to receive a pay-out of £70,000 after winning a sex discrimination case over the size of their big guns.

Victoria Wheatley and Rachael Giles said their weapons were too big for their small hands and as a result they could not reach the trigger, a tribunal has heard.

The two women struggled with the grip of the pistols they were using – a Glock 17 – and they also claimed their heads and legs were too small for their protective gear.

The case, held at the Central London Employment Tribunal last week, found the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) guilty of discrimination against both officers in the provision of suitable firearms and safety equipment.

It is understood the officers are set to receive £35,000 each after winning the case against the force – but there is expected to be an appeal.

The decision comes after a number of extraordinary cases where police forces across the country have had to pay out thousands in compensation to officers due to injuries at work - including £8,000 to a policeman bitten by fleas.

The two officers were based at different stations in the north west, with Miss Wheatley part of the armed unit which protects the Sellafield atomic complex in Cumbria and Miss Giles based at Chapelcross, near Annan.

Both females, who were described as being ‘petite in stature’ and with ‘small hands’, asked on several occasions for a smaller and suitable grip on the weapon when they could not reach the trigger, but this did not happen, the tribunal heard.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

1 posted on 02/17/2014 2:37:26 PM PST by naturalman1975
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

The problem isn’t their sex. It’s their size. They can’t do the job.


2 posted on 02/17/2014 2:39:18 PM PST by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

They should also file a suit against criminals who become too physical for one of the officers’ stature.


3 posted on 02/17/2014 2:41:41 PM PST by LucianOfSamasota (Tanstaafl - its not just for breakfast anymore...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975
They should sue the NFL next because they are too small and weak to make the cut.

All kidding aside, this is part of the deliberate destruction of Western Civilization.

4 posted on 02/17/2014 2:44:36 PM PST by Count of Monte Fisto (The foundation of modern society is the denial of reality.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

Itsby bitsy, teensy weensy Dickless Traceys have no business being LEO’s. Their size makes successful completion of their duties questionable, at best.


5 posted on 02/17/2014 2:47:17 PM PST by GladesGuru (Islam Delenda Est - because of what Islam is and because of what Muslims do.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

I remember in one of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Holmes tells Inspector Lestrade to bring two hefty constables with him.

If it was written today they probably would not let him say that.


6 posted on 02/17/2014 2:54:13 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

That’s what she said.


7 posted on 02/17/2014 2:55:12 PM PST by P.O.E. (Pray for America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

They have the job because of their plumbing.

Not because they are physically qualified to do the job.

Same idiocy that we see every day here in the 57 states of Lefty-Land.


8 posted on 02/17/2014 2:55:57 PM PST by Iron Munro ("Show me the man, and I'll show you the crime." - Lavrentiy Beria (& Eric Holder))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975
I can see their complaint if the guns not fitting resulted in poor shooting qualification that affected their careers.

It ain't that big a deal to change grips out.

Complaint may be exacerbated if they were not allowed to modify issued weapons on their own.

9 posted on 02/17/2014 2:58:13 PM PST by diogenes ghost
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

I had to buy my wife a revolver because she couldn’t chamber a semi. She didn’t sue me although she did shoot me:)


10 posted on 02/17/2014 3:00:36 PM PST by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: diogenes ghost

I’m no expert on handguns - but I’m told that the Glock 17 grip can’t realistically be made smaller, which would mean these women would have to be issued with a different firearm entirely.

I could see a case if (for example) when they originally joined, a different firearm was in use, that they could handle better - and maybe that did happen, although there’s no indication of it. But expecting standard equipment to be changed because of your size is a different matter.

The fact that they also complain the body armour is too big and that they rail in the range was too high makes me wonder precisely how small they are - and that makes a difference as to what accomodations are reasonable as well.


11 posted on 02/17/2014 3:09:21 PM PST by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

I think the Brit cops should get rid of their guns. They are dangerous and might hurt someone.


12 posted on 02/17/2014 3:33:16 PM PST by Right Wing Assault
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: diogenes ghost

A Glock 17’s grip size can’t be modified to a size smaller than it is simply because the grip must hold a magazine containing 17 rounds of 9MM ammunition making the pistol a poor choice for anyone with small hands.

Small, weak hands pose another problem with the Glock 17 due to the pistol’s propensity to a malfunction known as “limp-wristing when the pistol isn’t held firmly in the shooter’s hand.

The Glock 17 is a poor choice for anyone, man or woman, with small weak hands.


13 posted on 02/17/2014 3:33:42 PM PST by DJ Taylor (Once again our country is at war, and once again the Democrats have sided with our enemy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

The ergonomics of the Glock 17 are absolutely miserable IMO. I have relatively small hands, and have no problem with the Sig P227 which is a double stack .45. Nor do I have difficulty with Smith N Frame revolvers. There’s just something about the Glock that makes it feel like a 2x4 in my hands.

There are a number of firearms that would likely accommodate these ladies, but that would be thinking outside the box, and my take is that is pretty thin on the ground in any bureaucracy.


14 posted on 02/17/2014 3:39:28 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

Once upon a time, in this great land, families would go to an amusement park and at certain rides there was a sign with a line:

YOU MUST BE THIS TALL TO RIDE THIS RIDE.

No questions, no arguments NO means/meant no.

Also, there a lot of folks out here that at one time or another wanted to challenge Dear old Dad and at times Dad would remove his boot or shoe and say
“Put this on”

“It doesn’t fit”
“Of course not, come back and see me when it does”.

Then the old risque tale of the kid asking Dad for a dirt bike(?)

“Does your tool reach behind you?”
“NO!”
This goes on for ‘years’ and one day the kid says
“YES! YES!”
and dad said.
“Good now go .... ........”.


15 posted on 02/17/2014 3:50:50 PM PST by xrmusn (6/98 --When you have them by the short hairs, the minds and hearts soon follow.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975
Maybe they should issue them one of these...


16 posted on 02/17/2014 3:55:15 PM PST by Gritty (Inside every liberal is a totalitarian screaming to get out! - David Horowitz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: naturalman1975

So order them smaller Glocks and smaller helmets and be done with it. Why was this allowed to get to the stage of a lawsuit?


17 posted on 02/17/2014 3:55:20 PM PST by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tijeras_Slim

The Glocks fit my hands pretty well but there is no gun which feels so comfortable as the Browning Hi-Power. To make perfect even more perfect, add a set of Hogue grips.

One of the full sized CZ pistols is just about as good. For some reason I can’t recall the name of it right now.

The most uncomfortable grip to me is the original Ruger P-85 9mm. I guess it is not the grip so much as the awkward feeling trying to pull the trigger.


18 posted on 02/17/2014 3:56:13 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

Probably the CZ 75. Funny, but the High Power is another gun that has always felt “funny” in my hands. (of course, I’d cut out my tongue before criticizing John Moses Browning)


19 posted on 02/17/2014 4:03:34 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Tijeras_Slim

Browning kept the grip dimension smaller on the Hi-Power by having the sear work on a pivoting lever in the slide instead of going straight back and surrounding the mag as on the 1911.

Yes it was the CZ-75 and it’s later similar models I was thinking of.


20 posted on 02/17/2014 4:09:00 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson