COLUMBUS, Ohio — A group of officers with the Columbus Division of Police have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city of racial discrimination, violating their civil rights and creating a hostile work environment.
Eleven current officers and one former Columbus officer sued several city leaders, including Mayor Andrew Ginther, Director of Public Safety Robert Clark and Columbus Police Commander Melissa McFadden. Seven of the current officers are white and four are Black.
The lawsuit partially stems from 2017 when the officers filed a federal Equal Opportunity Complaint against McFadden, who was a lieutenant back at the time. The complaint accused McFadden of creating a hostile work environment and giving a sergeant a higher performance evaluation than deserved because he was Black.
An internal investigation into the allegations against McFadden was conducted and then-Chief Kim Jacobs recommended McFadden be fired.
According to the lawsuit, McFadden discriminated against the officers based on their race by giving inaccurate performance reviews based on race, treating Black officers differently than white officers, making statements that Black officers should not trust white officers and other issues.
However, Ned Pettus, who was the city's public safety director at the time, decided in August 2018 that the division had not met the burden of proof and did not fire McFadden.
The officers claim the decision to not take action against McFadden and fully investigate the allegations of misconduct resulted in harassment, a hostile work environment, emotional distress, loss of career opportunities and loss of dignity.
The officers are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The city has 21 days to respond.
This lawsuit comes eight months after a federal jury awarded McFadden $2 in a racial discrimination case that she filed.
A spokesperson for the city's Department of Public Safety told 10TV that the department will not comment on pending litigation.
10TV reached out to Ginther and other defendants named in the lawsuit but has not heard back.
To read the lawsuit, click here.