Trial set to begin after five Black University of Washington police officers sue school for racism

By TheGrio Staff

The 2021 lawsuit claims white supervisors and officers subjected Black officers to vulgar comments about Black male anatomy and a stream of racial jibes, threats and harassment.

Five Black University of Washington police officers are heading to court in a lawsuit in which they recounted over 100 incidents of “rampant, pervasive discrimination and retaliation.”

According to the The Seattle Times, Russell Ellis Jr., Damien Taylor, Karinn Young, Gabriel Golden and Hamani Nowlen allege discrimination by white police supervisors and officers.

Ellis is a 22-year law enforcement veteran; Taylor is a 15-year police veteran; Golden is a 10-year veteran; Nowlen is a five-year veteran; and Young is a 12-year veteran and the only Black woman involved in the 2021 lawsuit, which claims white supervisors subjected Black officers to vulgar comments about Black male anatomy and a never-ending stream of racial jibes, threats and harassment.

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While UW acknowledges “the plaintiff’s allegations are disturbing — if true,” the institution and the accused officials have refuted the charges.

Jury selection begins this week.

This isn’t the first time that Black workers have felt disparaged by their non-Black colleagues.

Keep up with the trial with Breaking News.