Lawsuit claims Gaston County Police prevented Black officers from reaching leadership positions

Nov 8, 2024 Story by: Editor

A new lawsuit filed this week accuses leaders within the Gaston County Police Department (GCPD) of discriminating against Black employees by excluding them from leadership roles and denying them promotions. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Charlotte, names Gaston County Police Chief Stephen Zill , County Commissioner Chad Brown , and Gaston County as defendants. Captains Brent Roberts and Reginald E. Bloom Jr. claim they were denied opportunities for advancement and that their civil rights were violated under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . Additionally, the suit alleges Bloom faced retaliation for advocating for fair employment practices.

Roberts, who joined GCPD in 1997, claims he rose through the ranks slowly, despite frequently being a top candidate for promotion and serving in multiple divisions. Although promoted to captain in 2017 after 20 years of service, Roberts sought the assistant chief position in 2018 but was reportedly barred due to a departmental rule requiring two years as a captain to qualify. When the role reopened in 2020, Roberts claims the eligibility criteria were altered without notice, again preventing him and another Black captain from applying.

The suit states that Roberts was outspoken in his support for Black and minority officers, including female officers. In 2016, while still a sergeant, he filed an internal complaint alleging that then-Police Chief Joseph Ramey showed favoritism toward less-qualified white officers over Black sergeants and captains. Further complaints were filed in 2019 and 2022, with Roberts reportedly receiving a warning for “insubordination” after his latest complaint.

Bloom, who began his GCPD career in 2004, has served in various roles and led civic engagement initiatives. He was promoted to captain in April 2023. The lawsuit claims that like Roberts, Bloom experienced slower advancement compared to his white colleagues. Additionally, Bloom alleges that white colleagues advised him to “distance himself” from Roberts because of his advocacy efforts.

According to the lawsuit, in September 2022, Ramey announced his intent to step down as chief. Commissioner Brown allegedly directed the department to encourage three white captains, including Zill, to apply for the position, while Roberts and another Black captain reportedly received no encouragement. In March 2023, Zill, despite reportedly not meeting all experience requirements, was appointed chief.

The suit alleges that in 2023, Zill promoted a white male sergeant to captain and then to assistant chief within five months. The assistant chief position reportedly did not have eligibility requirements posted, violating North Carolina law. The suit claims that Roberts, who had long been at the top of the eligibility list, and Bloom were both more experienced than the promoted candidate.

In November 2023, another assistant chief role was filled by a white officer who had planned to retire before being selected, according to the suit. Roberts claims that Zill falsely placed him on a performance improvement plan and excluded him from important meetings. Roberts further alleges that his complaints to the county’s HR were ignored, leading him to seek intervention from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in July 2024.

The lawsuit states that when another assistant chief role opened in August 2024, Gaston County modified the requirements once more, disqualifying candidates with sustained disciplinary actions in the past two years. This change reportedly made Roberts ineligible. Both Roberts and Bloom applied but were not interviewed, and the position was given to a white candidate promoted to captain just months earlier.

The lawsuit also claims that in September 2024, Roberts was reassigned from his role overseeing the communications division and a $5 million budget to a patrol position, reducing his visibility and prestige. A recently promoted white captain was moved into his former role. Bloom contends that he received lower evaluations than a white counterpart promoted after him, despite being told his supervisor “did not give high scores to new captains.” Bloom has also filed an EEOC complaint, though his case is still under review.

Roberts and Bloom are seeking a jury trial and are requesting the court to:

Permanently enjoin Zill, Brown, and Gaston County from discriminatory employment practices

Award equitable relief and monetary compensation for lost wages and benefits

Order payment of punitive damages and cover their legal fees

Grant any additional relief deemed necessary

In response to the lawsuit, Commissioner Chad Brown issued a statement to WCNC Charlotte: “This frivolous claim which the plaintiff has filed needlessly includes my name and wrongfully attacks my character for the sole purpose of sensationalizing the plaintiff's case. His false and defamatory statements about me are clearly intended to derail my campaign for Secretary of State. I WILL fight these false accusations like there is no tomorrow!” Source: WCNC