color vision

[bella]

What type of positions are available in law enforcement for someone with a red green color site deficiency? My son has aspired for the last 8 years to be an officer and now as he is "of age" we find out this is a problem. Any ideas?

[guardianSJ]

This subject is probably somewhere in this forum...I've seen much written about it in other LE forums. And I know a bit about it, since I have this problem myself!

I could almost write a book about this, but I'll try to be as concise as possible.

Most law enforcement selection processes use what is commonly called an Ishihara test as part of the pre-employment medical. It's also known as AO or HRR and various other names (such as the "dot test"). It's probably the one that uncovered your son's condition.

If an applicant has a problem with one of the dot tests, some -- although not all -- departments might accept one of the alternate tests, which would usually be done at the applicant's expense. The D-15 test is a more accurate type of color test, as is the Falant. An even better (and more involved) test is the the Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue test. Finding a place that can administer one of these can take some doing, as I recently found out. It's also pricey: I had to pay $200 at a county medical facility. At least I passed it with flying colors...oops, sorry for the pun! :D

Others here can probably add to this, but in the mean time I hope this helps your son with his decision. Bottom line: Some doors in the LE world might remain closed to those of us with this condition, but there are many that can open. Good luck, check around this forum and write back if you have other questions.

[scott715us]

I had this exact problem when first seeking law enforcement. I have red/green color deficiency. Metro Nashville PD is a civil service department and requires applicants to successfully pass the Ishiara Dot test. I couldn't.

The department I am currently with did require a color vision test, but it entailed just picking out flags of different colors and naming off the color to the medical nurse.

There is a large misconception among the public that those with color blindness cannot see any colors at all, which is obviously not true. Of those with colorblindness only about 10%-20% are totally colorblind while the remaining 80%-90% are red-green color deficient. Those with red/green colorblindness like me can see most primary red and green colors, but when you start showing different shades/hues, is when we have trouble.

After a couple of years on with my department, I found out a buddy of mine appealed the color vision test with Metro Nashville PD and won, but he had already been hired with TN Hwy Patrol and didn't take the job. I have it too good with my department now and do not intend on reapplying with anyone. I guess that's a good thing, because I heard the Feds are pretty strict on it as well. Glad I'm happy where I am. Good luck to your son. The answer you're looking for is probably going to rest on the departments he is interested in. ;)

[rgs83]

I too have the same problem!!
It sucks, and it's scary as hell to find out after you've spent so much time preping everything else and neglect this one aspect.

I totally fail the Ishiara test (pick the number through the dots).
I did the Farnsworth D-15 test, failed that barely... did it again and passed. The problem I had was how the doctor explained the test to me. If he fails that, wait a week and give it a go again - ya never know!!

To differentiate colour is needed, but to the detail they want in the test is useless!!
It's a light/dark red car, or it's a light/dark blue car, or it's nave blue, or tourquise... I've yet to see the specific shade of dark blue matter when searching for someone!
Goodluck

[guardianSJ]

I did the Farnsworth D-15 test, failed that barely... did it again and passed. The problem I had was how the doctor explained the test to me. If he fails that, wait a week and give it a go again - ya never know!!

Did you try the Farnsworth/Munsell 100? It's supposed to be a more in depth test. At least that's what I understand.

[rgs83]

I didn't try the 100. I did the 15 twice. The first time I failed as the way I thought about the test was different than how it should have been.
The second time the doctor explained to me a bit better what it is I was trying to achieve, though I had a hard time (to normies it's an easy test) I did pass it.
Man was I stressed though - thinking all this time, and boom can't join OPS beacuse of that!

I don't know for a fact but I imagine the 100 test would be ever harder! Where I had to arrange only 15 pegs by closest colour, you'd have to do 100!!

[Keenman]

Im not a LEO so don't ban me for replying but I thought this would be helpful. I went to the eye doctor and ask them about contacts that would help with color blindness. He didn't know of any but called the company he gets his contacts from and they were able to get them (they were expensive $300) but they are gas-permiable lenses (kinda like the old hard contacts but they are breathable) they also will last for a long time with proper care.. Anyways he didn't think they would work (he had never even heard of them before) but I insisted I wanted them and after some measurements of my eye. I got them, looked at the Ishiara test and was able to pass it. Just thought that may help. Im going to were them when I go into take my medical test, and if for some reason its a problem Ill appeal to try and take the other one but I think since with them in I am able to pass it I should be alright (or at least so says my father a 19yr police officer)

[seeking]

I wonder if something like that would work. If so that would be cool. A friend of mine is colorblind and he just had to prove he knew where the red and green light was and that he could tell which one was lit up even if he couldn't tell the exact color of it to drive. But my ex's brother's were unable to be pilots because it was found they wouldn't be able to differentiate the different colors of strip lights, etc. So, I can see where depending on what you want to do the colors you can see would be important. But if it's just you can't tell a dark green from a darker one, I don't see how it would matter that much.