Attorney addresses federal lawsuit filed by Flint Police officer - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(12/21/12) - White police officers claim black officers, with less experience, were promoted over them.

The federal lawsuit, filed Monday, names the city and two of its top cops, who are African-American, including Chief Alvern Lock.

"There are rules and regulations and there are laws. Just like you and me, they've got to abide by them and if they don't, they can be held to task for it," says attorney Tom Pabst.

Pabst represents the white police officers listed as plaintiffs. He says there could be as many as 15 involved soon.

Pabst says they were hop scotched over by black officers, with less seniority, who were given temporary provisional promotions to sergeants in 2011.  

"Then they take a test for this position in the middle of 2012 and a number flunk it, but yet they remain," Pabst says.

Pabst says the promotions were made by Lock and Captain Darryl Patterson.

"Race is being used as a factor. The collective bargaining agreement and the rules and regulations, that Flint agreed to abide by, say that these promotions are supposed to be made based on seniority," Pabst said.
 
Pabst says there was retaliation when the white officers voiced their concerns.

Separate from that, Pabst claims Lock also threatened to "beat up" an officer, though it's not clear in what context.

"It's on tape," he says.  

The plaintiffs are seeking some $14,000 each, Pabst says.

He says that's the difference in pay which they are still losing.

When reached by phone Friday, Lock declined comment and asked we contact the city's legal department.

The city declined comment because of the ongoing litigation.