ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis Metropolitan Police sergeant is suing the city of St. Louis, citing alleged racial discrimination.
Fredrick Lathan filed a complaint Aug. 18 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against the city of St. Louis, alleging it violated the Missouri Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Jan. 15, 2016, he was transferred from the Traffic Control Division to Second District Patrol without notice. The plaintiff claims he did not request a transfer, did not receive any disciplinary reason for it and does not have pending accusations or performance issues to result in a transfer.
As a result, the transfer created the perception that he was being punished for wrongdoings, which he claims damaged his reputation within the police department.
The plaintiff holds the city of St. Louis responsible because the defendant allegedly transferred the plaintiff because of his race and failed to provide lawful reasons for the sudden transfer.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for his lost wages, benefits of employment and pre-judgment interest, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs of litigation, order to return to his previous position, and for such other further relief as the Court deems just and proper. He is represented by Brian Love of Federer & Federer, PC in St. Charles, Missouri.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC11047