Black Miami Police Officer Sues City for $1 Million, Alleging Discrimination and Demotion Over Refusal to ‘Tone Down’ Her Hairstyle – Essence

A black 18-yr veteran of the Miami Police Department is speaking out and suing the town, alleging that her boss made racist comments and demoted her after she expressed her concerns.

“I am simply fighting to protect the rights of equality in the workplace, and those rights are sacred and non-negotiable,” Weslyne Lt. Gov. Lewis Francois said in a prepared statement at Monday’s press event. CBS Miami reports.

Lewis Francois, who stays on the force, is suing for discrimination and retaliation, looking for no less than $1 million in damages and a jury trial. Her lawsuit alleges retaliation and discrimination based on race, ethnicity and gender. She also filed a proper grievance with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to The Miami Herald..

Although she didn’t answer questions on the event, her statement made it clear where she stood. “I believe that no one should tolerate disrespect or discrimination because of who they are, what they look like, what they represent or the color of their skin,” she said.

The story goes back to when Lewis Francois was commander of the Miami Police Department’s Coconut Grove District 4 years ago. She says the community supported her, but her lawsuit says things were different throughout the department. She claims Chief Manny Morales criticized her hairstyle and told her to “tone down her appearance because it would not be accepted by the Coconut Grove community.”

“(Chief Morales) referred to the fact that she is a black Haitian-Bahamian and that is what she looks like,” said her lawyer, Michael Pizzi. “There’s nothing unsuitable with that. “It’s a very racist comment.”

Pizzi didn’t hold back in explaining what happened next. According to him, when Lewis Francois objected to the comments, the retaliation began.

“After she spoke out against racist comments, she was placed under the supervision of a major who was accused by a civilian investigative panel of using the N-word,” Pizzi said. “Then they publicly humiliated her.”

Pizzi said the retaliation didn’t end there. Lewis Francois lost her role as commander of the glory guard and was later demoted from commander to lieutenant, which she claims cost her between $30,000 and $50,000 a yr.

The lawsuit also accuses Chief Morales of reprimanding her, including ordering her to complete assignments while she was on approved leave or sick.

CBS News Miami says police haven’t yet responded to the allegations. However, the town’s law department issued a press release: “Ms. Lewis’ complaint is merely an attempt to recover compensation from the city for a position he no longer holds. The city looks forward to challenging her false allegations in court.”

Pizzi vehemently opposed this answer.

“When someone complains about racism or is told they don’t look the part, and city officials dismiss the complaint as just being about money, that says a lot about why serious changes are needed at the top of this department.” says. he said.