We Face Discrimination All The Time

Some businesses enforce the law, some businesses give a wink-and-nod to enforcing the law, and some just ignore the non-discrimination laws and when that is done by law enforcement agency that is very bad for all of us.

LGBT police officers say they've faced horrible discrimination, and now they're suing
USA Today
By Kristin Lam,
February 8, 2019

LOS ANGELES – It didn't matter whether Jay Brome called for backup during high-speed stolen car pursuits, intense vehicle impoundments or hit-and-run investigations. His fellow officers at the California Highway Patrol would not respond even when situations required him to hold his gun out, putting his life at risk.

They made him feel unsafe at work in other ways, too, Brome recalls. Some officers tied hangers in the shape of penises around his locker. They routinely flung homophobic slurs and once carved his name off an award plaque.

Brome says the dangerous workplace environment began years ago, when he was attending highway patrol academy and a fellow cadet held a gun to his head.

“I know you are gay," the cadet said, according to Brome. "Tell me you are gay and I will pull the trigger.”

Brome filed numerous internal complaints, but nothing happened. Supervisors allowed the hostile treatment to continue, Brome surmised, because he was a gay man. In 2016, Brome sued the California Highway Patrol for 20 years of alleged discrimination and harassment.

And California is not alone in the bigotry…

In New Jersey, Andrew Kara sued the Bergen County Sheriff's Office for sexual harassment, sexual orientation discrimination and wrongful termination in 2017. Officers and supervisors allegedly mocked Kara in person and in work texting groups because he is gay. He endured slurs and questions about whether he had any "AIDS medicine." Once, the lawsuit states, a sergeant mocked Kara’s sexual preference by insinuating that Kara had “choked on a thing or two in his lifetime,” as he simulated oral sex.

Kara did not comment on the pending case, nor did the sheriff's office. The office requires all employees take annual training on its anti-harassment and discrimination policy, spokesperson Derek Sands said. He added the agency complies with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Here in Connecticut we are not immune, the New Britain Herald reports,

Berlin Police Commissioner Bob Peters resigns from position
By Charles Paullin
January 22, 2019

BERLIN – Several individuals spoke Tuesday night at the town council meeting about racial remarks made by Bob Peters, who resigned from the Police Commission Tuesday morning.

“This is not what Berlin stands for,” said Rachel Rochette, a former mayor and member of the Democratic Town Committee.

“Mr. Peters is not a racist,” said Paul Eshoo, chairman of the Police Commission.
So what did Mr. Peters say that according to Mr. Eshoo wasn’t racist?
Peters, 82, was recorded as having said he teaches “how to shoot f-- n--,” in March 2018 at a local auto shop where local residents meet informally.

Peters can also be heard speaking against “queers,” “aliens” and said, “We got [inaudible] guys who like to shoot f--’ blacks.” The recording can be listened to on the homepage of newbritainherald.com [The recording is posted below]

WARING: Language used in this video may be offensive to some listeners. 

Berlin Police Commissioner Bob Peters makes racial comments at a local business.

I don’t know about you but that sure sounds like racist and homophobic comments to me.

When we dial 911 we shouldn’t have to worry about the officer responding to our call for help. We expect and demand that the emergency responder will treat us with dignity, respects, and equally for all people.

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I am doing training for a professor at Central Connecticut State University this afternoon; this is something like the fourth or fifth year I have been doing the training for her class.