a425couple
2021-06-23 21:26:49 UTC
22 officers, 11 supervisors
At least 5 officers, and at least one Asst. Chief are Black
the NYT on is at
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/22/us/uw-police-racism.html
or here
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/black-uw-police-officers-claim-racism-is-rampant-in-their-department/281-39dd44d8-349a-4357-9b7a-fc5f366df797
Black UW police officers claim racism is rampant in their department
A group of Black UW police officers is seeking millions of dollars in
damages from the university, alleging they endured racist slurs, jokes,
and hostility.
Author: Ted Land
Published: 7:56 PM PDT June 22, 2021
Updated: 10:34 AM PDT June 23, 2021
Facebook Twitter
SEATTLE — A group of Black University of Washington police officers
claims they endured racism on the job, including slurs and hostility
directed at them by coworkers and superiors.
They’re seeking millions of dollars in damages from the university.
"Beginning in 2017, and becoming worse over time, white officers in the
UWPD have insulted, demeaned, and mistreated me on the basis of race
because I am an African-American,” wrote Russell Ellis, one of five
officers who filed claims.
00:15 / 00:21
Facebook buys BigBox VR
Ellis said white officers used racial slurs and joked about racist
stereotypes, including one incident in which a supervisor allegedly told
Ellis, "I thought all you guys like watermelon and Popeyes chicken."
Another Black officer claimed someone placed a banana in front of her
locker with a note saying, "Here's your lunch you (expletive) monkey."
“It has made my job unbearable,” the officer wrote.
The New York Times first reported the allegations Tuesday.
Collectively, the five officers make dozens of allegations against the
department and are each seeking $8 million in damages with their claims,
a first step toward filing a lawsuit against the university.
Some of the allegations happened as recently as last month.
The officers claim their superiors were aware of racist conduct yet took
no serious action to stop it.
In a statement, UW spokesperson Victor Balta said, "We are stunned by
the allegations outlined in these claims. Any one of the incidents
described here would prompt an immediate investigation and appropriate
disciplinary action based on the investigation's findings."
Balta said UW has no record of any complaints filed through the police
union, the Office of Labor Relations, or an office that handles complaints.
He said the university plans to initiate its own investigation into the
allegations now that they've been brought to administrators' attention.
----------------------------
or at
https://us.newschant.com/us-news/university-of-washington-police-officers-file-racism-claims/
University of Washington Police Officers File Racism Claims
June 22, 2021
In Seattle, the descriptions of overt racism contained in the campus
police division stand out in a metropolis that proudly touts its efforts
to fight racism, and the place Black Lives Matter indicators could be
seen in yards and home windows throughout city. Yet solely 7 % of
Seattle residents are Black, one of the smallest concentrations amongst
massive U.S. cities. On the University of Washington’s campus in
Seattle, the numbers are even smaller, with Black college students
comprising about 3 % of the scholar physique.
With practically 50,000 college students enrolled on the Seattle campus,
the college’s cops examine on-campus crimes, patrol areas round
residence halls and assist handle safety for public occasions. The
division, which employs 22 officers and 11 supervisors and commanders,
has touted its personal range efforts, saying “different viewpoints,
experiences and backgrounds are central to meeting the unique needs of
the community we serve.” Amid final year’s racial-justice protests
throughout the nation, some of them on the college campus, the division
boasted about the way it trains its officers to beware of implicit bias.
University officers mentioned on Tuesday that they have been “stunned”
by the allegations outlined within the authorized claims, and mentioned
directors had not beforehand been made conscious of them. “Any one of
the incidents described here would prompt an immediate investigation and
appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation’s findings,”
Victor Balta, a college spokesman, mentioned in an announcement.
Mr. Ellis, who joined the campus police pressure in 2007, mentioned that
early in his life, he had not contemplating a career in policing. That
modified throughout his junior year in highschool in Sacramento, Calif.,
he mentioned, when he acquired pulled over after soccer follow and a
police officer pointed a shotgun at his head. The officer was looking
for someone else.
Mr. Ellis mentioned he informed one of his coaches, who additionally
labored as a county sheriff’s deputy, what had occurred.
“He said that to change law enforcement, sometimes you have to get
involved,” Mr. Ellis mentioned. “We don’t have very many Black police
officers. That was a big part of me thinking I need to be in law
enforcement to change the environment of law enforcement.”
He started a career in 1999, working as a correctional officer in
Arizona and later as a law-enforcement officer for the Washington State
Liquor Control Board. When he joined the University of Washington Police
Department 14 years in the past, he mentioned, he seen issues from the
start. In 2008, a number of present and former staff filed a civil
rights lawsuit against the university detailing complaints of
discrimination and harassment towards Black, Jewish and feminine
officers. Mr. Ellis was not half of that lawsuit, and mentioned he had
not been not conscious that it was within the works. He was new,
sticking to himself, making an attempt to slot in and keep away from
potential battle.
---------------------------
https://apnews.com/article/wa-state-wire-business-police-racial-injustice-race-and-ethnicity-de0cc5921bc783412580f4470d7c47bb
Black cops seek $8M in University of Washington racism claim
today
FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, students walk between classes
on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Five Black police
officers claiming racism at the University of Washington have filed
claims for $8 million in damages. They say they were routinely insulted
and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors. KOMO-TV reported Tuesday,
June 22, 2021, that the officers say they were disciplined and denied
promotions because of their race. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
1 of 2
FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, students walk between classes
on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Five Black police
officers claiming racism at the University of Washington have filed
claims for $8 million in damages. They say they were routinely insulted
and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors. KOMO-TV reported Tuesday,
June 22, 2021, that the officers say they were disciplined and denied
promotions because of their race. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
SEATTLE (AP) — Five Black officers with the University of Washington
Police Department have filed claims of racism against the department and
are seeking $8 million in damages, alleging they were routinely insulted
and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors.
Some officers said they were disciplined and denied promotions because
of their race, KOMO-TV reported Tuesday.
Officer Damien Taylor said a white supervisor referred to him as “‘(his)
own negro’ on a call and later laughed at me when I confronted him about
it.”
Officer Karinn Young said “a banana was put in front of my locker with a
note reading, ‘Here’s your lunch, you
(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)
monkey.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
The officers said University of Washington Police Chief John Vinson, who
is also Black, was repeatedly criticized by white officers for hiring
too many Black people.
“White officers called Chief Vinson the n-word on several occasions,”
said Officer Russell Ellis said in the claim. Vinson was later
reassigned to an administrative position at the university, KOMO-TV
reported.
University spokesperson Victor Balta said the college is stunned by the
allegations and that the institution has no record of complaints being
filed with the allegations.
“Any one of the incidents described here would prompt an immediate
investigation and appropriate disciplinary action based on the
investigation’s findings,” Balta said. “We plan to initiate our own
investigation into these allegations now that they have been brought to
our attention.”
The University of Washington Police Department’s website addresses
racism, saying it “must be addressed and eliminated, both in policing
and from our community, so all of us can live without fear of
discrimination.”
-------------------------
or
https://www.wcti12.com/news/nation-world/black-police-officers-seek-8m-in-university-of-washington-racism-claim
Black police officers seek $8M in University of Washington racism claim
by JOEL MORENO, KOMOWednesday, June 23rd 2021
AA
Black police officers seek $8M in University of Washington racism claim
(KOMO)
SEATTLE (KOMO) – New claims of racism have emerged within the University
of Washington Police Department.
Five Black officers have filed claims for damages totaling $8 million,
saying they were routinely insulted and demeaned by co-workers as well
as supervisors over the past several years.
The allegations go beyond stereotyping and name-calling; some officers
said they were unfairly disciplined and even denied promotions, all
because of their race.
In the claim for damages, Officer Karinn Young said "a banana was put in
front of my locker with a note reading, 'Here's your lunch, you *******
monkey.'"
Officer Damien Taylor said a white supervisor referred to him as "'(his)
own n*gro' on a call and later laughed at me when I confronted him about
it."
UW spokesperson Victor Balta released a statement that said, in part:
“We are stunned by the allegations outlined in these claims. Any one of
the incidents described here would prompt an immediate investigation and
appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation's findings.
We recognize that the officers believe UWPD command staff are aware of
the incidents outlined, however we have no record of any complaints
being filed through the many avenues available to staff to do so. We
have no record of any such complaints through the police union, the
Office of Labor Relations, or the University Complaint Investigation and
Resolution Office."
Some of the contention within the department involved former Chief John
Vinson, who is Black. The officers who filed the tort claims said Vinson
was repeatedly criticized by white officers for hiring "too many Black
people."
“White officers called Chief Vinson the n-word on several occasions,”
said Officer Russell Ellis in the court filing. Vinson was later
reassigned to an administrative position at the university, but the five
officers said the racial discrimination only got worse.
Regarding the killing of George Floyd, Officer Hamani Nowlen said he
heard white officers say he was “another monkey dead” and “he got what
he deserved."
The five officers are now demanding the University of Washington pay $8
million in damages, saying they face open hostility and entrenched
racism that has persisted for years.
“We plan to initiate our own investigation into these allegations now
that they have been brought to our attention," continued Balta. "The UW
is committed to maintaining a fair, equitable and inclusive environment
and provides employees with many avenues for reporting inappropriate or
discriminatory behavior so they can be addressed immediately. Given the
nature of these allegations and these pending legal claims, we have
nothing further to add while the legal process is ongoing.”
The claims for damages are the first step toward a lawsuit. The
university has up to 60 days to respond.
At least 5 officers, and at least one Asst. Chief are Black
the NYT on is at
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/22/us/uw-police-racism.html
or here
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/black-uw-police-officers-claim-racism-is-rampant-in-their-department/281-39dd44d8-349a-4357-9b7a-fc5f366df797
Black UW police officers claim racism is rampant in their department
A group of Black UW police officers is seeking millions of dollars in
damages from the university, alleging they endured racist slurs, jokes,
and hostility.
Author: Ted Land
Published: 7:56 PM PDT June 22, 2021
Updated: 10:34 AM PDT June 23, 2021
Facebook Twitter
SEATTLE — A group of Black University of Washington police officers
claims they endured racism on the job, including slurs and hostility
directed at them by coworkers and superiors.
They’re seeking millions of dollars in damages from the university.
"Beginning in 2017, and becoming worse over time, white officers in the
UWPD have insulted, demeaned, and mistreated me on the basis of race
because I am an African-American,” wrote Russell Ellis, one of five
officers who filed claims.
00:15 / 00:21
Facebook buys BigBox VR
Ellis said white officers used racial slurs and joked about racist
stereotypes, including one incident in which a supervisor allegedly told
Ellis, "I thought all you guys like watermelon and Popeyes chicken."
Another Black officer claimed someone placed a banana in front of her
locker with a note saying, "Here's your lunch you (expletive) monkey."
“It has made my job unbearable,” the officer wrote.
The New York Times first reported the allegations Tuesday.
Collectively, the five officers make dozens of allegations against the
department and are each seeking $8 million in damages with their claims,
a first step toward filing a lawsuit against the university.
Some of the allegations happened as recently as last month.
The officers claim their superiors were aware of racist conduct yet took
no serious action to stop it.
In a statement, UW spokesperson Victor Balta said, "We are stunned by
the allegations outlined in these claims. Any one of the incidents
described here would prompt an immediate investigation and appropriate
disciplinary action based on the investigation's findings."
Balta said UW has no record of any complaints filed through the police
union, the Office of Labor Relations, or an office that handles complaints.
He said the university plans to initiate its own investigation into the
allegations now that they've been brought to administrators' attention.
----------------------------
or at
https://us.newschant.com/us-news/university-of-washington-police-officers-file-racism-claims/
University of Washington Police Officers File Racism Claims
June 22, 2021
In Seattle, the descriptions of overt racism contained in the campus
police division stand out in a metropolis that proudly touts its efforts
to fight racism, and the place Black Lives Matter indicators could be
seen in yards and home windows throughout city. Yet solely 7 % of
Seattle residents are Black, one of the smallest concentrations amongst
massive U.S. cities. On the University of Washington’s campus in
Seattle, the numbers are even smaller, with Black college students
comprising about 3 % of the scholar physique.
With practically 50,000 college students enrolled on the Seattle campus,
the college’s cops examine on-campus crimes, patrol areas round
residence halls and assist handle safety for public occasions. The
division, which employs 22 officers and 11 supervisors and commanders,
has touted its personal range efforts, saying “different viewpoints,
experiences and backgrounds are central to meeting the unique needs of
the community we serve.” Amid final year’s racial-justice protests
throughout the nation, some of them on the college campus, the division
boasted about the way it trains its officers to beware of implicit bias.
University officers mentioned on Tuesday that they have been “stunned”
by the allegations outlined within the authorized claims, and mentioned
directors had not beforehand been made conscious of them. “Any one of
the incidents described here would prompt an immediate investigation and
appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation’s findings,”
Victor Balta, a college spokesman, mentioned in an announcement.
Mr. Ellis, who joined the campus police pressure in 2007, mentioned that
early in his life, he had not contemplating a career in policing. That
modified throughout his junior year in highschool in Sacramento, Calif.,
he mentioned, when he acquired pulled over after soccer follow and a
police officer pointed a shotgun at his head. The officer was looking
for someone else.
Mr. Ellis mentioned he informed one of his coaches, who additionally
labored as a county sheriff’s deputy, what had occurred.
“He said that to change law enforcement, sometimes you have to get
involved,” Mr. Ellis mentioned. “We don’t have very many Black police
officers. That was a big part of me thinking I need to be in law
enforcement to change the environment of law enforcement.”
He started a career in 1999, working as a correctional officer in
Arizona and later as a law-enforcement officer for the Washington State
Liquor Control Board. When he joined the University of Washington Police
Department 14 years in the past, he mentioned, he seen issues from the
start. In 2008, a number of present and former staff filed a civil
rights lawsuit against the university detailing complaints of
discrimination and harassment towards Black, Jewish and feminine
officers. Mr. Ellis was not half of that lawsuit, and mentioned he had
not been not conscious that it was within the works. He was new,
sticking to himself, making an attempt to slot in and keep away from
potential battle.
---------------------------
https://apnews.com/article/wa-state-wire-business-police-racial-injustice-race-and-ethnicity-de0cc5921bc783412580f4470d7c47bb
Black cops seek $8M in University of Washington racism claim
today
FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, students walk between classes
on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Five Black police
officers claiming racism at the University of Washington have filed
claims for $8 million in damages. They say they were routinely insulted
and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors. KOMO-TV reported Tuesday,
June 22, 2021, that the officers say they were disciplined and denied
promotions because of their race. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
1 of 2
FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, students walk between classes
on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Five Black police
officers claiming racism at the University of Washington have filed
claims for $8 million in damages. They say they were routinely insulted
and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors. KOMO-TV reported Tuesday,
June 22, 2021, that the officers say they were disciplined and denied
promotions because of their race. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
SEATTLE (AP) — Five Black officers with the University of Washington
Police Department have filed claims of racism against the department and
are seeking $8 million in damages, alleging they were routinely insulted
and demeaned by co-workers and supervisors.
Some officers said they were disciplined and denied promotions because
of their race, KOMO-TV reported Tuesday.
Officer Damien Taylor said a white supervisor referred to him as “‘(his)
own negro’ on a call and later laughed at me when I confronted him about
it.”
Officer Karinn Young said “a banana was put in front of my locker with a
note reading, ‘Here’s your lunch, you
(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)
monkey.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
The officers said University of Washington Police Chief John Vinson, who
is also Black, was repeatedly criticized by white officers for hiring
too many Black people.
“White officers called Chief Vinson the n-word on several occasions,”
said Officer Russell Ellis said in the claim. Vinson was later
reassigned to an administrative position at the university, KOMO-TV
reported.
University spokesperson Victor Balta said the college is stunned by the
allegations and that the institution has no record of complaints being
filed with the allegations.
“Any one of the incidents described here would prompt an immediate
investigation and appropriate disciplinary action based on the
investigation’s findings,” Balta said. “We plan to initiate our own
investigation into these allegations now that they have been brought to
our attention.”
The University of Washington Police Department’s website addresses
racism, saying it “must be addressed and eliminated, both in policing
and from our community, so all of us can live without fear of
discrimination.”
-------------------------
or
https://www.wcti12.com/news/nation-world/black-police-officers-seek-8m-in-university-of-washington-racism-claim
Black police officers seek $8M in University of Washington racism claim
by JOEL MORENO, KOMOWednesday, June 23rd 2021
AA
Black police officers seek $8M in University of Washington racism claim
(KOMO)
SEATTLE (KOMO) – New claims of racism have emerged within the University
of Washington Police Department.
Five Black officers have filed claims for damages totaling $8 million,
saying they were routinely insulted and demeaned by co-workers as well
as supervisors over the past several years.
The allegations go beyond stereotyping and name-calling; some officers
said they were unfairly disciplined and even denied promotions, all
because of their race.
In the claim for damages, Officer Karinn Young said "a banana was put in
front of my locker with a note reading, 'Here's your lunch, you *******
monkey.'"
Officer Damien Taylor said a white supervisor referred to him as "'(his)
own n*gro' on a call and later laughed at me when I confronted him about
it."
UW spokesperson Victor Balta released a statement that said, in part:
“We are stunned by the allegations outlined in these claims. Any one of
the incidents described here would prompt an immediate investigation and
appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation's findings.
We recognize that the officers believe UWPD command staff are aware of
the incidents outlined, however we have no record of any complaints
being filed through the many avenues available to staff to do so. We
have no record of any such complaints through the police union, the
Office of Labor Relations, or the University Complaint Investigation and
Resolution Office."
Some of the contention within the department involved former Chief John
Vinson, who is Black. The officers who filed the tort claims said Vinson
was repeatedly criticized by white officers for hiring "too many Black
people."
“White officers called Chief Vinson the n-word on several occasions,”
said Officer Russell Ellis in the court filing. Vinson was later
reassigned to an administrative position at the university, but the five
officers said the racial discrimination only got worse.
Regarding the killing of George Floyd, Officer Hamani Nowlen said he
heard white officers say he was “another monkey dead” and “he got what
he deserved."
The five officers are now demanding the University of Washington pay $8
million in damages, saying they face open hostility and entrenched
racism that has persisted for years.
“We plan to initiate our own investigation into these allegations now
that they have been brought to our attention," continued Balta. "The UW
is committed to maintaining a fair, equitable and inclusive environment
and provides employees with many avenues for reporting inappropriate or
discriminatory behavior so they can be addressed immediately. Given the
nature of these allegations and these pending legal claims, we have
nothing further to add while the legal process is ongoing.”
The claims for damages are the first step toward a lawsuit. The
university has up to 60 days to respond.