Jury rules in favor of 5 Black UW police officers in racial harassment case
A jury ruled Thursday in favor of five Black University of Washington police officers who accused the school's police department of racial harassment and discrimination.
The ruling in King County Superior Court includes more than $16 million in damages.
While the amounts vary among the officers when it comes to past financial damages, all were awarded $2 million in emotional damages, and four were awarded more than $1 million in future damages.
Following the decision, the University of Washington issued the following statement:
We are disappointed in the decision reached by a King County Superior Court jury today in a racial harassment and retaliation case brought by four former officers and one current UWPD officer. Our attorneys are reviewing options for our next steps, including the potential for an appeal.
The University of Washington is committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming working environment for all staff. This case alleged issues that took place largely under previous leadership and went unreported through official channels. The allegations of racial harassment and retaliation are deeply disturbing and counter to the UW’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. We are confident that under UWPD’s new leadership — including a new Chief of Police and new leadership team — the department will remain focused on mission-driven service, continuous improvement, building meaningful relationships with the communities UWPD serves and ensuring the department lives up to its values of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence.
Lawsuit against UW Police Department
The lawsuit was filed by five officers with UW's Police Department two years ago. They alleged widespread racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace, such as use of racial slurs, stereotypes, physical intimidation, and preferential treatment of white officers.
The lawsuit stated that such behavior was heightened after the murder of George Floyd and amid the protests of 2020.
The officers said they were retaliated against for speaking up about the issues. While the court upheld allegations of harassment and discrimination Thursday, it did not find that the officers were retaliated against by the department.
After the lawsuit was filed, one of the officers said their brake lines were cut, and another said someone shot at their home, shattering a window.
Four of the plaintiffs have left the department, and law enforcement, since the lawsuit was filed.
UW President Ana Mari Cauce previously commented that none of the allegations among the university's police department were ever reported to UW leadership.
Cauce said in 2021 that such issues "were not reported through union representatives, and they did not surface during an independent review of the department in 2019."
KUOW has reached out to the University of Washington for a comment on the ruling.
