Do Everett’s Top Cops Only Promote White Officers?

That’s the question a jury may consider as three Everett Police officers have filed a discrimination suit against the City of Everett as well as Everett Police Chief Kathy Atwood and Everett Police Captain David Fudge. Below are two press releases. The first from the attorney representing 3 different Everett Police Officers who have filed a suit. The second is a statement from Everett City Public information director Meghan Pembroke…

Press Release from firm Vreeland Law representing three officers…

Three Everett police officers today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the City of Everett for discrimination by the City’s police department.

“The Everett Police Department routinely promoted Caucasian officers over more experienced and qualified officers of color in the Department,” said attorney Victoria Vreeland of Vreeland Law. “These veteran police officers collectively have more than 60 years of police experience but were repeatedly denied promotions despite their top rankings and qualifications due to their race.”

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Sgts. Manuel Garcia, Richard Wolfington and Officer Sherman Mah. The officers did make formal complaints with appropriate Department supervisors and City officials about their unfair and hostile workplace, but City officials did nothing, the lawsuit states. “Everett’s police department is in charge of upholding the law, not breaking it,” Vreeland said. “City leaders were informed about these repeated civil rights violations and retaliation, but did nothing to correct it.”

Sgt. Garcia, a Hispanic American, has been with the police department since 1988 and a sergeant since 2002. He was the City’s first Hispanic and bilingual officer. He applied for a promotion to lieutenant and ranked first on the eligibility register, but an officer who tested lower was promoted instead. On March 23, 2011, Garcia was finally promoted to lieutenant, but when he raised issues of difference in treatment by his commanding officer, he was unfairly demoted, according to the complaint.

Sgt. Wolfington, a Native American, has been with the Department since 1993. After serving for 20 years, he was forced to retire early last year due to the hostile work environment and retaliation. Wolfington was denied a lieutenant promotion after reporting unethical behavior by his commanding officer. The City failed to investigate Wolfington’s complaints.

Officer Mah, an Asian American, has been an officer with the Department since 1995. Mah has been repeatedly skipped over for promotions by officers who ranked lower or failed required testing. Mah complained to supervisors and City officials, but his complaints were also never investigated.

Official Statement from City of Everett Public Information Director Meghan Pembroke…

The City investigated the plaintiffs’ allegations and determined they were without merit. The City intends to vigorously defend against the claims. It is important to underscore that the Everett Police Department’s core values include integrity, professionalism and honor, and the Department is dedicated to providing a supportive, nondiscriminatory work environment. The Department uses fair processes for employee evaluations and for advancement to ensure that our most capable and effective officer leaders are promoted.

The City of Everett received the lawsuit Thursday and has 21 days to respond. The suit is asking for a jury trial.

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