RACIAL DISCRIMINATION: Fresno Police Captain files Discrimination Suit against City

September 7, 2010

Fresno – A racial discrimination lawsuit has been filed against the City of Fresno and its Police Department three years after a police captain filed related discrimination complaints to the EEOC.

In 2007, Captain Al Maroney, a 30-year veteran, made three claims of racial discrimination after being assigned to the Southwest District, which he alleges was reserved for captains with less experience.

Maroney claimed that the previous captain who was assigned to the district left the community unhappy and he, the most senior captain who happens to be an African-American, was then forced to clean up the mess.

Maroney said that he felt punished by the assignment and is now asking $900,000 to settle the case.

The lawsuit was filed after the EEOC found one of the three allegations against Police Chief Jerry Dyer to be valid.

The EEOC also recommended that the police chief and his department leaders take part in some sensitivity training.

A statement from the City of Fresno disputed the claims of Maroney and said that they are confident that the allegations of the captain will be proven to be unfounded.

The statement from the city also cited that two of the six people promoted by Chief Dryer were also African Americans.

Police Chief Dryer has declined to make a comment since it is a personnel issue.

Maroney added that he is not accusing the police chief of being a racist but simply wants to establish that discrimination did occur.

If the case cannot be resolved, Maroney said that he plans to file a federal lawsuit.