PITTSBURGH—An appeals court has sided with an injured Pennsylvania police officer who was denied state recertification because he was taking a narcotic pain medication.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday ruled in favor of former Pittsburgh officer Richard McDonald, who had applied for a police chief post in 2007. He sued after he was denied recertification by the state Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission.

The appeals court agreed that McDonald's right to due process was not violated but said the judge erred in rejecting his discrimination claims on the grounds that the commission wasn't covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act.

McDonald's attorney, Timothy O'Brien, told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ( http://bit.ly/LXsgyI) that he and his client were pleased with the decision.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, http://www.post-gazette.com