Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A deputy chief in Plainfield, New Jersey is suing the city and his fire chief for reverse discrimination. Deputy Chief Jeffrey Courtney alleges that Fire Chief Frank Tidwell discriminated against him on account of his race. Chief Courtney is white.
MyCentralJersey.com quoted from the lawsuit as saying: “Tidwell has made it clear that he does not want a white person to take the position of chief upon his retirement and has continually blocked” Chief Courtney’s promotion to chief after Chief Tidwell retires.
The suit also claims that Chief Tidwell asked black firefighters “if they could take orders from a white man.”
Chief Tidwell was recently cleared of allegations of misappropriation of funds and misuse of authority. He was quoted by MyCentralJersey.com as saying:
- “I’m a very fair individual, I see everyone the same.”
- “No one is treated better than the other. I don’t look at race, religion, sexuality. I believe in treating every employee with the respect that they are worthy of.”
- “White officers are treated the same as black firefighters.”
- “I’ve showed no discrimination at all in my five to six years as fire chief and even prior to becoming fire chief.”
I have not been able to access a copy of the complaint, so it is unclear exactly what legal theories Chief Courtney is pursuing. It appears the suit was filed in New Jersey state court.
