An Orlando police officer who was involved in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting and was later diagnosed with PTSD was ordered to go back to work after his doctor said he could do clerical work, but only if it was outside of the Police Department. He was assigned to Orlando’s STOPS program that enforces the city’s red light cameras, and he is arguing that is still related to the department.

Gerry Realin was working with a team who had to bag and remove bodies from the nightclub and has not been able to work since. Florida’s workers’ compensation laws do not cover PTSD so though they are not required to, the department has been paying his base salary and will allow Realin to continue treatment now that he has been Ok’ed for limited duty.

The city created a position for Realin to help run a bike-safety program in the STOPS department at City Hall. He argues that he is following his doctor’s advice and has not reported to work in the program, which he says is related to the Police Department. Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon said he may have to start using sick days if he continues to fail to go to work, and may even face disciplinary action or termination if he continues to be absent from work.

Paolo Longo is an attorney representing Mr. Realin and says that he thinks it is “admirable” the city is trying to keep him employed but it has to be within his medical restrictions.

There is a mediation hearing scheduled for May 9^th to hear this workers’ comp case.

The Orlando Sentinel and WMFE