Cop wins week off work for time spent dressing

German police officer says he lost 15 minutes a day putting on his uniform

Martin Schauder, 44, worked out how long he spent putting on his undershirt, overshirt, trousers, belt, handcuffs, weapon and gas canister, tunic, boots, protective kneepads — when on riot control — hat and gloves, the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph reported. 

The officer, who joined the force at 16, is said to have argued with his superior officers for a number of months, asking for time off or a pay increase to compensate him for 45 hours spent dressing each year. 

They refused, but he won the argument when he took his case to an administrative court in Munster, north-west Germany, the Telegraph said. 

The U.K.'s Guardian newspaper, citing Germany's Münstersche Zeitung, said Schauder told the court: "If my shift starts at 1 p.m., say, I'm expected to be completely fitted out by then, including my pistol, handcuffs and reserve weapon, otherwise I face being cautioned." 

Test case for hundreds
His case was was a test complaint for more than 120 police officers in Munster and a further 1,000 in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Guardian said, but Schauder's employers will be able to appeal to a higher court. 

The Guardian said it was unclear whether Schauder would receive back payment for his 28 years in the force or a holiday of six months.