New York ( CNN ) -- A Hasidic NYPD recruit is planning a lawsuit after being dismissed for refusing to trim his beard for religious reasons , his attorney said Sunday . Fishel Litzman , 38 , was asked to leave the police academy on Friday , his attorney , Nathan Lewin , told CNN . He began the police academy in January , he said , was in the top 1 % of his classes and is `` highly regarded '' by his peers . The dismissal , Lewin said , is a clear example of `` religious discrimination . '' `` We are planning to bring a lawsuit , '' the attorney said . `` This should not be a practice of the NYPD . '' NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said in a statement the department `` makes reasonable accommodations in this regard . '' Beards for religious purposes are to be kept to 1 millimeter in length , he said , adding that there are other Hasidic and Orthodox uniformed members who observe the accommodation . Litzman `` did not comply with the NYPD 's reasonable accommodation to keep his beard trimmed , '' Browne said . `` He did not keep it trimmed to 1mm and he stated that it was his intention to never cut or trim his beard . '' But Litzman said as an Orthodox Hasidic Jew , `` I have left my beard natural all my life . It 's the law of the Torah . '' In a March 18 statement to NYPD officials , provided to CNN by Lewin , Litzman wrote , `` It is absolutely forbidden in my religious beliefs to cut or trim my beard in any way . '' When Litzman received the phone call that he was accepted into the police academy , it was the `` happiest day of my life , '' he said . `` The impact you can make in the community in a neighborhood and a people ... you can truly make a direct impact on a whole entire community as a police officer . '' Litzman wrote that after receiving a 97.6 % on his entrance exam last year , he `` inquired about keeping my naturally short beard intact '' and filled out a religious accommodation form . He received a short letter saying the matter would be addressed when he became a recruit . After being selected for the 2012 class , the father of five said he resigned his job . `` Since I had applied for an exemption before I was accepted and had already been photographed , I believed that the NYPD was aware of my religious needs and accepted me knowing I needed to keep my beard intact , '' he wrote . While in classes , Litzman three times was told he would have to cut or shave his beard , he said . Each time , he refused , citing his religious beliefs , Lewin said . He was also punished with the loss of two vacation days , according to Litzman 's memo . He noted that other officers have beards , adding , `` I was told many times in the academy , 'Cut your beard , after the academy you 'll never have to , ' '' Litzman said . `` It 's an unenforced rule . '' `` I can not , as a matter of religious conscience , follow that instruction because I may not trim my beard even temporarily to complete the academy , '' he wrote . `` One of the points that has been drilled home during my short time at the academy is the need to represent the NYPD with integrity , '' Litzman wrote to police officials . `` Although not knowing whether I will be punished for maintaining my religious beliefs has been very taxing on me and my family , I will not waver in my firm belief that I can be a successful member of the NYPD and an Orthodox ( Hasidic ) Jew at the same time . '' He said that as his academic and physical scores show , `` I am focused on dedicating myself to being the best probationary police officer I can be . '' Asked if other factors could have contributed to Litzman 's dismissal , Lewin said , `` I do n't think it 's anything else ... He would -- will be , I believe -- an outstanding police officer . '' Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said in a statement Sunday he was `` deeply troubled '' by the reports Litzman was fired for refusing to trim his beard . `` The NYPD has done a commendable job in recent years of building a police force that tries to reflect the populations that they serve , '' Stringer said . `` Fishel Litzman should be no exception . I urge the police commissioner to reconsider this case as well as the NYPD 's rules about religious accommodation more broadly and , in so doing , to make a clear statement in support of religious expression for all . '' CNN 's Chris Dignam contributed to this report .
Fishel ##man was asked to leave the police academy Friday , his attorney said . Litzman is an Orthodox American Jew . The NYPD says it makes reasonable accommodations for him .