BOSTON — Massachusetts' top court is set to hear an appeal from a Boston police officer and former mixed martial arts fighter who claims the city has unfairly stymied his career in policing.
Sean Gannon gained notoriety on social media in 2004 when he beat well-known fighter Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson in a bare-knuckle fight.
In 2006, Gannon was placed on desk duty after missing roll call, a short time later the police department reported that he had a concussive syndrome from his fighting.
The city claims Gannon's cognitive abilities have been affected. But Gannon insists he can fully perform all the tasks of his job.
Gannon says he's been cleared for duty by numerous doctors. The city says neuropsychological tests showed Gannon had slow response time and memory issues.
The Supreme Judicial Court is set to hear arguments on Dec. 8.
Gannon's attorney, Adelaide Pagano, sent Ted Daniel the following statement.
Since the City unfairly relegated him to desk duty back in 2006, Sean has done an exemplary job and has had occasion to make a number of arrests both on-duty as a desk and booking officer at a Boston precinct and off-duty in the community. He has shown through his excellent record of service and through a number of Shoot-Don't Shoot simulations and police-work scenarios that he is entirely capable of performing the essential functions of the job of a police officer safely and effectively. The Department's decision to keep Sean on desk duty for over ten years now and to attempt to involuntarily retire him from the force has had a devastating effect on his career and his family, and it does a great disservice to the public, which has been deprived of the opportunity to have a guy like Sean protecting and serving in their communities. Instead of doggedly fighting to keep Sean behind a desk, the Department should recognize that Sean Gannon is more than capable of performing the job of a police officer and should let him do what he was trained to do and what he excels at doing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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