Fired Minneapolis Recruit Sues Claiming Race Discrimination

Posted by: Curt Varone March 2, 2021 0

A recruit who was fired from the Minneapolis Fire Department in February, 2020 has filed suit accusing the department of race discrimination. Dol Din, who is of Somali descent, filed suit in state court yesterday. A copy of the complaint is not available, but according to the court’s web site, an amended complaint was filed today.

According to the Star Tribune, Din reported he had been assaulted by a training officer in the academy, and contended he was subjected to “outward aggression.” In the alleged assault, Din, 45, was slammed against a stairwell wall. An internal investigation prompted the transfer of two training officers in December, 2019.

The suit contends that after Din reported the assault he was subjected to “increased hostile treatment” from fellow recruits as well as training staff. He was terminated on February 21, 2020. The Start Tribune quoted from the complaint: “Had the Department not unlawfully terminated Dol’s employment, Dol would have been the Department’s first Somali-American Firefighter.”

More on the story. If a copy of the complaint can be secured it will be uploaded here.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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