Two more black women allege discrimination in the DC Police Department – NBC4 Washington

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Two other black women came forward with allegations of discrimination and retaliation within the Metropolitan Police Department.

Their lawsuit is the third brought by current and former black policewomen claiming that a toxic work environment exists within the department.

Lisa Burton and Felicia Carson said they were kicked out of the MPD’s internal affairs office for complaining of prejudice, racism and sexism.

“Personally, I was intimidated by white IAB officials,” Burton said.

“Senior officials are willfully blind to this behavior,” Carson said. “It was blatant. My dismissal was blatant.”

After 29 years in the force, Carson says she was unfairly fired for refusing to turn a blind eye in an internal affairs investigation she conducted into the excessive use of force by a white officer against a man black.

In their lawsuit, the women accuse the IAB chief of showing favoritism towards white officers and of using his power to protect the officer in the Carsons case.

Someone violated someone’s civil rights; that person is still employed, said lawyer Pam Keith, who represents the two women. One person has reported and is investigating this incident. This person was fired. If that sounds wrong to you, it should be. “

The couple join more than a dozen current and former black policewomen who recently sued the department over allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace.

Regardless of the merits of a specific claim, these many red flags are a sign of a real problem, ”Keith said.

Despite the potential threat to their professional lives, Carson and Burton believe that for the sake of their colleagues and the public, they had to speak up.

It’s not like senior officials don’t know what’s going on, Carson said. They don’t care. “

The culture itself is such that black women are invisible and replaceable, Burton said.

It will take some time for the prosecution to go through the courts.

Keith believes the DC government can fix the problem now by holding a public hearing.

Our goal is not to take scalps; our goal is to bring people to the table who can make a difference, said Keith.

Carson and Burton hope that by speaking out, they can be a part of it.

MPD did not respond to a request for comment on the latest trial, but in the past the ministry has said it takes the allegations seriously and will conduct a full review.

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