Lawsuit Filed by Flint Police Officers Alleges Race Discrimination

A group of nine white police officers in Flint has filed a lawsuit against the city and the top two officers in the department claiming racial discrimination.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit, alleges black police officers with less experience were promoted over them.

Chief Alvern Lock and Captain Darryl Patterson are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The Free Press says they the white officers spoke up about their concerns to the pair and then came under increased scrutiny. Some of the officers were disciplined for things such as parking in the wrong parking spot.

Jason Lorenz, spokesman for the City of Flint, says the city's legal department is aware of the lawsuit, but declined to give further comment because of the ongoing litigation. However, Lorenz said the racial makeup of the department is 50.8% black, 46.6% white and 2.5% Hispanic.

The lawsuit says the plaintiffs suffered emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment and more. In the lawsuit, it says the damages far exceed $100,000.