Kansas City Police Department Faces Discrimination Lawsuit from Officer Over Training Disparities

The Kansas City Police Department Under Fire Again!

Kansas City has found itself in the news again, and unfortunately, it’s not for all the right reasons. This time, it’s a serious lawsuit filed by a long-time police officer, De’Angelo Dotson, who has worked with the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) for 16 years. Dotson has thrown down the gauntlet, claiming that he faced discrimination during his training in the helicopter unit.

Training Troubles in the Sky

The lawsuit, which Dotson filed last week in the Jackson County Circuit Court, alleges that he faced quite an uphill battle while trying to climb the ranks in the helicopter unit. He reported that it’s been nearly two decades since anyone from a racial minority group or even a woman completed the training for this specific unit, which is currently populated by five white male pilots. Talk about a lack of diversity!

Dotson embarked on his flight training adventure in January 2023, which required a hefty 300 hours of training. However, in a rather frustrating twist of fate, he claims he only managed to accumulate a mere 2.9 flight hours in the first six months! Meanwhile, his white colleagues received significantly more flying time, making his claim sound even more alarming during the ongoing fight for equality in the workplace.

Feeling the Heat of Discrimination

Dotson also contends that he was often disciplined or “counseled” for actions that his white counterparts did without facing any repercussions. What’s more shocking is that after he raised concerns about this treatment to the human resources department, he was promptly grounded from flying. The atmosphere in the unit soured even further, and his options quickly dwindled.

A Struggle for Justice

After all this turmoil, Dotson was ultimately taken off the helicopter unit in December 2023 and returned to patrol duties. It’s clear that the fight for fairness has been a long and complicated road for him. Even more troubling, the Kansas City Police Department is no stranger to these kinds of allegations, having settled numerous claims from its own officers in the past.

Dotson didn’t stop there. He filed complaints of discrimination and retaliation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR). If that wasn’t enough, in August, the MCHR granted him a notice of his right to sue. This is a situation that will undoubtedly be watched closely by many in the community.

Department Faces Deep-Seated Issues

It’s essential to note that KCPD has been under scrutiny over its practices for a while now. A 2022 investigation showed that Black officers were disproportionately disciplined compared to their white colleagues. Even more concerning is how the department struggles to recruit and keep officers of color. Current statistics reveal that only 11.6% of officers are Black in a city where approximately 26% of the population identifies as Black. The numbers just don’t add up!

The Wider Investigation

The U.S. Department of Justice is now looking into KCPD’s hiring and employment practices, spurred on by the previous investigation. However, officials from the department have made it clear that they will not comment on ongoing litigation to maintain fairness for everyone involved. We’ll have to stay tuned to see how this situation develops!

This lawsuit from Dotson sheds light on critical issues faced by minority officers within the force, and it underscores the need for real change within the Kansas City Police Department. Many are hoping that Dotson’s brave step to speak out will inspire others to advocate for their rights and lead to safer and more equitable work environments for all officers.