Westminster Officer Files Discrimination Suit

A Westminster police officer has filed a lawsuit alleging he was forced out of his job after he complained that another officer had hung a sign near his desk that read “Nothing but White.”

John Fred Small, who is African American, was working in a police substation at the Westminster Mall when the sign, apparently confiscated during a “skinhead” raid, was hung, according to the suit filed Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court.

At first, Small didn’t report the incident because he was fearful for his safety and wanted to avoid confrontation, according to the lawsuit. But when the sign still was not removed after about two weeks, Small reported the incident to his superiors. The sign was removed about a week later, according to the suit.

Following the incident, Small alleges, he received a “negative and damaging” evaluation by his supervisor, who called him “lazy and a complainer.”

As a result of what Small claimed to be “retaliatory and disparate treatment” by police officers, he was forced to leave the department, he alleges.

Police Capt. Andrew Hall said Small is on paid, work-related medical leave, and that the department is continuing to interview officers in its investigation of Small’s allegations. Small’s initial complaint to the police department, filed in April, will be presented to the City Council, Hall said.

“Officer Small brought a concern to us, and we are currently conducting an investigation,” Hall said.

The suit against the city, the police chief and other officers alleges violation of civil rights, discrimination and slander.