Court: Single Kidney Stone Not a Disqualifier for Police Applicants - Court overturns police rejection over single kidney stone incident

A police applicant with a history of kidney stones has won a legal challenge against a state police authority. The court ruled that a single kidney stone incident should not automatically disqualify candidates. It also found that the authority had incorrectly applied health fitness standards in this case.

The case centred on whether a one-time kidney stone should bar someone from joining the police. The court determined that such an incident alone does not prove future unfitness for duty. Instead, decisions must rely on concrete evidence of long-term health risks before retirement age.

No medical proof existed in this applicant's case to suggest ongoing health problems. The authority's rejection was based on a general prognosis rather than specific medical findings. The court stressed that assessments must consider detailed specialist reports, including diagnosis, treatment history, and confirmed symptoms. The Federal Administrative Court has not ruled on identical cases for public safety roles. However, past decisions highlight the need for thorough medical documentation when evaluating health risks. The state may still appeal, with the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia in Münster handling any challenge.

The applicant's police recruitment process will now continue. The ruling clarifies that health assessments must focus on proven risks rather than speculative future conditions. Without solid evidence of lasting impairment, candidates cannot be disqualified based on isolated medical events.