HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu City Council members agreed to pay $4.7 million to settle a lawsuit that says the Honolulu Police Department engaged in racial and sexual discrimination.
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu City Council members agreed to pay $4.7 million to settle a lawsuit that says the Honolulu Police Department engaged in racial and sexual discrimination.
The federal lawsuit was filed in 2010, alleging that the Honolulu Police Department put officers’ lives in danger when they were refused back-up during nighttime traffic stops. The plaintiffs say they faced retaliation after speaking out about racial discrimination in the department.
Police say no one was disciplined for misconduct. Deputy Chief Marie McCauley says the allegations do not reflect the values of the department or what it stands for. She says discrimination of any form won’t be tolerated.
This lawsuit comes at a time when the Honolulu Police Department has come under scrutiny by lawmakers who are calling for more oversight.