NYPD lieutenant claims vaccine mandate discriminated against Christian men
- John Macari claims he faced termination for refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate based on his Christian beliefs.
- He alleges that female and transgender officers were granted exemptions not given to male Christian officers.
- This discrimination led to emotional distress for Macari, culminating in his departure from the NYPD after 18 years.
In a lawsuit filed against the New York Police Department, John Macari, a former lieutenant, alleged that the NYPD's COVID-19 vaccine mandate was discriminatory towards male Christian officers. Macari claimed that exemptions were granted to female officers and those of diverse gender identities, while male Christian officers faced pressure to comply with the mandate or terminate their employment. This situation arose after a push from city officials to improve diversity within the department, particularly through initiatives focused on increasing the number of women in law enforcement. Macari contended that the actions taken by officials, including former COVID czar Jay Varma and Deputy Commissioner Tanya Meisenholder, were part of an agenda to reorganize the department in favor of women, leading to a workplace culture that he described as hostile for men holding certain religious beliefs. After an 18-year career, Macari left the NYPD in February 2022, citing emotional distress and a conflict between his professional obligations and personal faith. He is seeking $10 million in damages. As this case unfolds, it raises questions about equity, inclusion, and the balancing of diverse workplace policies against individual rights and beliefs in law enforcement agencies. The city has yet to comment on the allegations presented in the lawsuit, while Meisenholder has since left the NYPD to assume a role in academia focusing on gender equity in policing.