Even though he was denied locally, he can still send the request to ISP. It really doesn't matter what the local LEO thinks. The ultimate final decision is up to ISP. I can tell you that in the last 10 years the top administrators for SPD have only been to TWO hearings at ISP for permit denials. In at least one of those, the applicant still got the permit.
I was deined my ltch because of something when I was 15 how to go about an appeal
When you get the denial letter it says you have 30 days to file an appeal in writing and mail back to ISP. Once that is done and ISP receives the letter, they then will mail another letter giving you the time, date and location of the appeal hearing.