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A lesson in racism?
Black police sergeant files suit over cartoon used in SDPD training
Early 1900s comic passed around at training session
Arthur Scott, an African-American police sergeant, filed a harassment and discrimination suit yesterday (January 20) against the City of San Diego.
Sgt. Arthur Scott
Scott, who has been with the San Diego force since 2004, says that discriminatory material was discussed at a weeklong training session. When Scott complained, he was passed over for a promotion and then forced to take a lateral transfer to the Central Division, which he did not want. He charges race discrimination/harassment and hostile work environment, among several things.
At the class, the instructor passed around a racist cartoon published in the San Diego Sun in the early 1900s, featuring a drawing of Frank McCarter, the first black San Diego Police Department officer. In the cartoon, McCarter was "caricatured as ape-like, carrying a large pistol and brandishing an oversize police baton," charges the suit.
The cartoon was also offensive to those of Asian descent, charges the suit. The day after the cartoon was shown, Scott complained to the lieutenant in charge of the training. He acknowledged that the cartoon was offensive, according to the suit.
Scott says that assistant chief Todd Jarvis defended use of the cartoon. Soon, Scott was passed over for a promotion to an investigating sergeant's position and also forced to transfer to Central Division. He says he was threatened with disciplinary action on frivolous allegations of misconduct. This led to Scott filing the suit.
A spokesman for the city attorney's office said deputies will review the claim and defend the city.
Here's something you might be interested in.
A lesson in racism?
Black police sergeant files suit over cartoon used in SDPD training
A lesson in racism?
Black police sergeant files suit over cartoon used in SDPD training
Early 1900s comic passed around at training session
Arthur Scott, an African-American police sergeant, filed a harassment and discrimination suit yesterday (January 20) against the City of San Diego.
Sgt. Arthur Scott
Scott, who has been with the San Diego force since 2004, says that discriminatory material was discussed at a weeklong training session. When Scott complained, he was passed over for a promotion and then forced to take a lateral transfer to the Central Division, which he did not want. He charges race discrimination/harassment and hostile work environment, among several things.
At the class, the instructor passed around a racist cartoon published in the San Diego Sun in the early 1900s, featuring a drawing of Frank McCarter, the first black San Diego Police Department officer. In the cartoon, McCarter was "caricatured as ape-like, carrying a large pistol and brandishing an oversize police baton," charges the suit.
The cartoon was also offensive to those of Asian descent, charges the suit. The day after the cartoon was shown, Scott complained to the lieutenant in charge of the training. He acknowledged that the cartoon was offensive, according to the suit.
Scott says that assistant chief Todd Jarvis defended use of the cartoon. Soon, Scott was passed over for a promotion to an investigating sergeant's position and also forced to transfer to Central Division. He says he was threatened with disciplinary action on frivolous allegations of misconduct. This led to Scott filing the suit.
A spokesman for the city attorney's office said deputies will review the claim and defend the city.
Comments
There's no defending that kind of racist stupidity. Todd and "lieutenant in charge of training" need to be fired, yesterday! What an embarrassment to all. An apology isn't enough.
shirleyberan: You may be right, but after reading the lawsuit, I could not ascertain in what context that cartoon was brought up. It might have been brought up as a condemnation of the attitude in those days -- looking back at it as ugly history. This will have to come out at trial, if there is one. Best, Don Bauder
I hope that no one who reads this blog is the tiniest bit surprised by this. The SDPD has been, and unfortunately still is, the world's largest hick-town police department. It was that when I arrived here over forty years ago, and still is. The parade of undistinguished chiefs who have headed the operation is a reflection of the lack of awareness of all the other weaknesses in city government. The sad part is that there were many, many good cops who served and who now serve. Why is it that they have to report to losers? When I think back over the chiefs of police in SD from 1970, there is no picking the best one. "Best" suggests good, and that doesn't apply. Which one was worst? Hands down, it was Kolender, who then went on to be sheriff for three terms. Excuse me while I shudder.
Visduh: I have to agree that San Diego has had some very bad police chiefs. That, however, still doesn't touch on the context in which this reprehensible cartoon was introduced at this training session. As you say, there have been, and are, some very good cops in San Diego. And it is still possible that this cartoon was introduced as an example of how bad the police force was at that time. Best, Don Bauder
If there are good police officers on SDPD this is the time to step up. Everybody thought the rapes and murders were over. Everybody thought the corruption trash was hauld out. As you recently witnessed in Chula Vista their filth is getting stronger with every election. The shield SDPD, city attorney hides behind is very dirty. These people justify their decisions to protect only themselves. Stand behind this brave man. Insist that any officer, administrator resign immediately who has seen this material and did nothing. Hopefully this will gain national attention. I have said this all along. From my experience with SDPD retaliation is in order. Officer Scott will never trust them as he shouldn't.
Daniel_Torres: The city attorney's office, which said very little, should investigate and tell us the context in which this revoltingly racist cartoon was introduced. And the treatment that Scott got after he complained has to be explained. It sounds horrible, but we have heard only one side. Best, Don Bauder
Context doesn't matter. That material was created to humiliate and demean and should not have been used for any reason during police instruction. Big mistake and lacks rational or educated good judgement. Not acceptable, So insulting.
shirleyberan: On the surface, the using of that cartoon appears to lack rational and educated good judgment, as you say. But I still want to know the context in which it was used. The punishment that Scott is alleged to have received appears to be inexcusable, racist-based, and reprehensible. Best, Don Bauder
Daniel M. Gilleon: You are a very good lawyer and your representation of Scott is certainly praiseworthy. You say that the showing of the cartoon was not used as an example of racism or discrimination in those days. But you also say that the stated purpose of using the cartoon was to discuss McCarter's being allowed to patrol in non-black areas. So it seems there can be an argument that the cartoon was meant to show McCarter's bravery in a very ugly era in San Diego's history. I will be interested to see the city's response, if it attempts to give one.
I agree that the treatment of Scott after he complained was reprehensible. Best, Don Bauder
Proof that you can't fix stupid.
AlexClarke: You mean smart pills don't work? We should give some to the San Diego police and see if they are effective. Best, Don Bauder
I have been taking smart pills for years and I can attest that they don't do no good!
AlexClarke: I keep ordering smart pills but the pharmacist always misplaces them. Best, Don Bauder
In case you are not aware, "smart pills" is derived from a "racist" joke. Ironic?
Race is an invented concept based on weak "science." At best, it is a cultural concept, unrelated to reality. Why we persist in using the term is only a confession of our ignorant intransigence and preference for fantasy over reality.
We were all black in the beginning, an adaptation to tropical sun and longer days year 'round. When we migrated toward the poles, we lightened up to permit more sun absorption for vitamin D production to prevent rickets, which caused death in childbirth. That's evolution.
Twister: There is an old racist joke that uses the words "smart pills." But I have heard the words used many more times in a completely non-racist context. Best, Don Bauder
Robert Castaneda: if the city attorney's office chooses to defend the case, the defense will come out of taxpayers. If the city attorney chooses to settle, the settlement will come out of taxpayers. Best, Don Bauder
Crimes and torts committed by individuals should not be financed by the taxpayers. Legislation?
Twister: The job of the city attorney is to defend city employees. I don't know how taxpayers could assure that they don't get stuck with the bill, whether there be a settlement or a trial. The city could say if the employee is guilty of an egregious crime, he or she has to pay the city back. But in almost all cases, that wouldn't happen. Best, Don Bauder
Kenneth Edwards: Putting up a swastika? That is horrible. And the meaning is clear. The cop who did it should be charged with a crime, and the police department should be forced to pay for this. Best, Don Bauder
That's not a cartoon, it is racist propaganda. Stop making excuses.
shirleyberan: It can be a cartoon and racist propaganda at the same time. Best, Don Bauder
Don Bauder - the key to this situation is in fact the question you raised - 'in what context was it used' - but,,,, as I think out loud here - I doubt Sgt. Scott would have raised it as a concern if it were being shown in the outrageously poor taste that it is.
With so many good police personnel on the force - unfortunately, what we have here is a few bad apples spoiling the whole bunch - or at least I hope it is a few.
anniej: I would like to hear the actual verbiage used by the person who showed the offensive cartoon to those taking the training course, including at least one African-American. Best. Don Bauder
Police are getting too expensive. Lawsuits. Stand downs like the recent one in New York and the Secret Service standing down on the President twice and the recent stand down in Paris. Need to find a new source of manpower. Off-duty police working security outside the law.
clockerbob: With crime rates down significantly, one would think police expenses would decline, too. But I don't know that is happening. Best, Don Bauder
Don, you are showing exemplary reasoning, and I'm proud of you for sticking to the need for specific and comprehensive, complete evidence and taking the inevitable heat for it.
Twister: It's the old scenario of someone filing a lawsuit, making very strong charges. The defense issues a vague statement, not replying to the charges. A journalist shouldn't assume the charges are true. Best, Don Bauder