Four veteran members of the Cincinnati Police Department filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and Police Chief Teresa Theetge, alleging workplace discrimination in personnel assignments and promotions.
The officers claimed they were bypassed for preferred positions in favor of minority and female lieutenants, despite meeting qualifications, according to the lawsuit.
Why It Matters
The case adds to a series of legal actions challenging how public safety agencies navigate diversity initiatives, anti-discrimination laws, and longstanding court decrees meant to address historic bias. The lawsuit’s outcome may set a precedent for police hiring, promotion, and assignment practices in Cincinnati and beyond, affecting ongoing national debates about workplace fairness, affirmative action and the definition of merit.
The issue resonates beyond local governance, raising questions about how workplaces balance efforts to promote diversity with compliance with civil rights protections for all employees.
What To Know
The lawsuit, brought by Captain Robert Wilson and Lieutenants Patrick Caton, Gerald Hodges, and Andrew Mitchell, named the city and Theetge in both her individual and official capacities, alleging they participated in “intentional and discriminatory practices” that favored women and minorities.
The four officers alleged in their lawsuit that the city and Theetge developed and enforced assignment, hiring, and promotional processes that demonstrate “a systemic practice of discrimination against white males.”
“The City doesn’t comment on pending litigation,” a representative for the City of Cincinnati told Newsweek.
Newsweek also reached out to the defendant’s attorneys and Theetge for comment.
They are seeking compensatory damages, including lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, and other damages. They are also seeking punitive damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief the court deems appropriate.
Zack Gottesman, an attorney for the officers, highlighted other lawsuits against the city and its police department for alleged discrimination in a statement to WXIX, including Carrie Hollyfield v. City of Cincinnati Police Department, Andrew Mitchell and David Schofield v. City of Cincinnati, et al., and Eric Kohler v. City of Cincinnati, et al.
“These cases collectively demonstrate a pattern of systemic discrimination by the City of Cincinnati against white individuals, particularly white male officers, in promotions, assignments, and workplace treatment,” Gottesman said. “The City’s continued reliance on race- and sex-based policies, despite judicial rulings and evidence of remedied past discrimination, perpetuates an environment of unfair treatment and violates constitutional protections.”
The legal actions reflect others filed in various cities across the nation. In Columbus, two police lieutenants sued the city, mayor, police chief and human resources director in 2022 for discriminatory promotional practices due to Affirmative Action. The lawsuit was later settled. Similar claims were raised in a 2019 lawsuit filed by 12 white male San Francisco police officers against the city.
What People Are Saying
Attorneys for plaintiffs, in a complaint filed Monday: “As a direct result of Defendant’s discriminatory practices, Plaintiffs have suffered harm, including but not limited to lost wages, lost promotional opportunities, emotional distress, and damage to professional reputation.”
What Happens Next
Summons have been issued for the defendants, who have 21 days to respond after service is completed. The plaintiffs have demanded a trial by jury.
The proceedings could influence future policies in the Cincinnati Police Department related to promotions, assignments, and diversity initiatives and may prompt broader debate on public safety employment practices nationwide.
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