Sunday, February 19, 2012

Atlanta Firefighters Prevail In Discrimination Suit Against City

The only reason we bring this up is because it sounds way to familiar.
The lawsuit concerned five black firefighters who were members of the same study group and finished among the top eight highest test scorers.

According to the suit, two assistant fire chiefs and members of the Atlanta black firefighters association Brothers Combined provided exam answers to the other black fire employees before they took the test in April 2010.
As it relates to us, we ask one question. You think?

Click here to read more.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those that provided the test answers are slated for termination as well. Hopefully this suit finds its way into DKPD as we all know this has been going on for years here.

Anonymous said...

This Blog actually "clowns" Dekalb more than it does to help our blatant problems. RACE or discrimination isn't the problem but obviously the blogmaster has a issue with race relations in DeKalb. Everytime there's a chance to bring up race he/she does. If you don't like DeKalb LEAVE!. It's just that simple! This blog ain't nothing but TMZ for DeKalb officers, nothing at all is productive about it. But yes im hypocritical in reading it, I read in hope for some productive insight on how to make this place better!

-Mike Lowry-

Anonymous said...

I think it has more to do with preferential treatment rather than race. Those that were provided with the answers involved both black and white candidates. Please don't read race into everything; there is way, way too much of that going on nationally already.

Anonymous said...

To Blog Master: this is off the subject here but what happened to the write up from Fri. referencing SWAT & other officers having to go back to wearing uniforms again? Was this not reliable information or what? As I recall, there were only about 8 or so comments. And it was the very first write-up on the blog page.

Anonymous said...

As I said once before what about the power couples? Its not always about race. Look at those people who have rank and surprise so does the spouse! You think in some cases answers are being passed during pillow talk? Then ask your self which one married up? A non-fraternization policy would really help. Lets grandfather the ones that already here I guess we have to. (Example the pension) Then we would not have any sexual pictures and contact or having to clear off desks tops for some physical discussions on promotions. Question why are officers still involved making up tests when you pay a company to do it? By now they can use stats and the rules and regs and see what the answer is. You leave yourself open to this lack of integrity. In case you don't know it COPS talk and secrets are well just rare around here. Race,Sex,Extra job buds and other factors are involved in not promoting the best. Dekalb Police have some problems grasping simple ethical principles as shown by the latest police blotter. Officers are not being shown by the people with rank soundess of moral charter in how they obtained rank. You lead from the front, by example and not by shaking your booty or having the some "dirt" on someone.

Anonymous said...

DKPD has been ONLY about race since 2002 period! black leaders doing everything in their power, legal or illegal to promote ONLY blacks. This place absolutely cares nothing about promoting based on most qualified, cares to much about perception, and affirmative action

Anonymous said...

Dear Rookie Lowry:
Race here in Dekalb has ALWAYS been the problem. Anytime someone can get what he/she wants based on skin instead of work, he/she will. Anyone remember the ALEOD? The Association of Law Enforcement Officers of Dekalb? It was the black version of the FOP. Whites could join as associate members, but had no privileges, like test study groups, etc. In fact, they were excluded from it PURPOSELY. Ever heard of NOBLE: Nat'l Organization of BLACK Law Enforcement Executives? Moody was BIG into that because it helped in consolidating his power. When was the last major of South Precinct white? Race permeates everything here because the majority of votors are BLACK and the politicians want to stay in power so they cater and pander to their base.
Face it, birds of a feather will flock together, and even if they hate each other privately, they will not speak out against one of their own.
Clean up your own yard before you tell me what to do in mine. Kinda gives a whole different slant to "seperate but equal", doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

All these affirmative action and consent decree's do is screw over the people that never discriminated against anyone. It never effected the big boy's in Dekalb or those fair hairs in the "eight captain deal" remember? It turned more nobodys against minorities and made attitudes toward minorities worse. I still have the attitude...don't bother me anymore, I gave at work.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:35

We have people cheating on a promotional test, we have pension problems, we have not had a raise in years and one scandal after another in the DKPD. And you are worrying about what kind of fucking uniform the SWAT Team wears? Really? Besides you, who really gives a shit? I am pretty sure the SWAT Team is taking applications now and will be running a SWAT school soon. Since this seems to mean the world to you, why don’t you take your punk ass out there and get on the damn SWAT Team so you can have a super cool uniform too. Otherwise shut to fuck up about a damn uniform as the rest of us have bigger fish to fry.

Anonymous said...

There are three Captains that are not worthy of being a Sgt much less the rank they hold. Just because of who they are dating or sleeping with they get a pass. They say Burgess and his good old boy system was bad but he wasnt in your face as WIZ Miller is. I sure hope he isnt screwing anyone now. Maybe the test will be somewhat fair this tiome

Anonymous said...

My problem with testing around here is more than race, who is cheating, or who is married to who. The bigger problem is that JOB PERFORMANCE and FIELD EXPERIENCE has absolutely no factor in how one ranks. It seems to me that you would want a supervisor that has proven his/her self on the job. There are MPOs with years of experience in CID, narcotics, NET, TRT, SWAT, FTO, TAC, who get 4.8 on their evals yearly, countless Commendations, Officer of the month/year, a supervisors recommendation, etc....... All of this means NOTHING when it comes to the testing process. Instead we look at who can cram the most words into an 8 minute scenario, a written test where answers are thrown out at random, and a rediculous 5 minute role play exercise. Something is gravely wrong with this picture. We have a process now where you can be a slug Officer who has never made a significant arrest, held a preliminary hearing, or been in any specialized position do better (In the eyes of a non Dekalb Supervisor who has never witnessed your job performance) on a 5 minute fictional scenario and end up ranking at the top of the testing list. Right now to get into a specialized Unit you have to fill out a quesionare, list your eval scores, disciplinary hours, Commendations, and go through an interview process. This seems backwards too me. It would seem that a simular points process would be used to choose the best and most qualified supervisors. Just look at all the recent supervisors who have been fired, disciplined, or moved around. This is my issue with the whole process!!!!!!!!! We have several Military Chiefs and Majors now who should look at this and come up with a new testing process.

Anonymous said...

I knew this thread would turn into a flame war over race.
There is no doubt that racism has always played a part in the hiring and promotion of employees. When DeKalb county was still majority white the conservative Democrats had "the old boy" system that encouraged racial preference for the friends of those in power in DeKalb government. 30 years later and the situation is the same, except its called the "home boy" system and provides the same racial preferences to friends of DeKalb leadership.
The fact that Vernon Jones, Richard Stognar and Joe Stone were all convicted of creating a "hostile work environment for employees" and DeKalb county government has refused to intitiate any corrective measures against discrimination against white employees and then rehired Stognar as Ellis's chief of staff speaks volumes as to the institutional racism of DeKalb government that has been in play against both blacks and whites for the last 50 years.
It was wrong then and wrong now.
My opinionated opinion.
KenC

Anonymous said...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County prosecutors were forced to dismiss cases against 95 people for crimes ranging from felonies to misdemeanors after the state fired a former Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper for failing to stop at a fiery crash. Prosecutors on Friday dropped the charges in all cases handled by Charles Van Morgan, The Knoxville News Sentinel reported (http://bit.ly/yxtQ33 ). "Mr. Morgan's actions were so egregious as to completely destroy his credibility," Tammy Hicks, an assistant district attorney general, wrote in a motion to dismiss the cases. "As such, the district attorney general's office cannot continue with the prosecution of his cases." About half the defendants appeared to be first-time offenders, but others were on their second and third drunken driving arrests. The cases don't include minor traffic tickets, which still have to be sorted out and dropped as well, prosecutors said. Morgan's personnel file shows he averaged as many as 300 total arrests and citations per year and routinely logged the most drunken-driving arrests in the Knoxville district for years. He made 117 DUI arrests alone in 2010, which was more than any other trooper in the state. Among those whose cases were dropped was 37-year-old Justin Ryan Kinard, of Decatur, Ga., who faced charges of an implied consent violation and vehicular assault on a child. Morgan arrested him in May after Kinard's car ran off the interstate, hit a tree and flipped with his toddler daughter in the car. Morgan forced him to give a blood sample, which is allowed in cases of serious injuries, but prosecutors can't use the test results now. Morgan was fired this month after investigators found he drove by a fiery car wreck in November that killed a man in Knox County. He clocked Gordon Kyle Anito driving nearly 80 mph in a 40 mph zone and started to follow the driver to pull him over. But video from Morgan's cruiser show the trooper slowed down, but didn't stop as he passed Anito's car moments after it crashed head-on into a tree and caught fire. Morgan told dispatchers he'd lost the car and kept going until he got a report from a dispatcher and drove back. He sprayed the fire with a fire extinguisher — "to make it look good," he later explained to investigators. Morgan does not face criminal charges, but Anito's family has filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against Morgan and the THP. The agency fired him for neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming a trooper. NOTE: 37-year-old Justin Ryan Kinard, of Decatur, Ga., who faced charges of an implied consent violation and vehicular assault on a child. Morgan arrested him in May after Kinard's car ran off the interstate, hit a tree and flipped with his toddler daughter in the car. Everything we do in police work is important every day, but one mistake can change many lives. Lets try our best to be the best. Sgt. Oak #2199

Anonymous said...

#1 im not a rookie! Yes there are obviously problems with unfair treatment/promotions in Dekalb. It goes both ways (blacks and whites). My argument is that race is not our BIGGEST problem. One race promoting its kind over the other isn't why Dekalb is in the position its in! The problem is just that there are IDIOTS running the county that happen to be black. True i dont remember the last white Major at south however there are and have been several Sgts, and captains. Your argument can be said about blacks at other precincts so its pointless! The minority in any establishment is going to cry about unfair treatment and promotion practices. Theres always going to be a group that feels like their treated unfairly! Again horrible leadership is our biggest problem; blame the citizens that you protect and serve for voting for such horrible leaders. Finally if you dont like the system LEAVE!

-Mike Lowry-

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:09

I agree with most everything you said. But those “Military People” used the same crappy system we have in place now to move up. I don’t know if they would be willing to change it. I am not against giving a test but all the other things should also count. One things seems clear to me and that is that the system we have in place now does not work.

Anonymous said...

Hey Ken C. Please check your FACTS. A lot of people will take what you posted and repeat it. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Another thing the Good Old Boy system existed a long time in DeKalb and through out America. If people practiced what they preached we would not need court rulings. Its when people repeat stuff they hear and don't take it upon them selves to research it is when you have people making silly statements. When you need back up you can say Radio start me a White Officer. You want the first person available to respond. That's a FACT.

Anonymous said...

The posted comments are factually wrong. The three names are not correct and Stogner is not The CEO's Chief Of Staff. I hope this GED holder knows how to fill out a parking ticket, at least. Maybe Andy Griffin was the writer.

Anonymous said...

One major difference between then and now is that the courts actually deliver verdicts against the county. When the county was white controlled, there was no justice for blacks. That's the way it is in these yet to be United States of America.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the feedback guys and gals.
Anon 8:47, what is Richard Stognars official title? I thought it was CEO Ellis's chief of staff, and would appreciate Stognars official title to avoid this mistake in the future. Thanks!
Anon 8:10, I have had the pleasure of working with some very intelligent and hardworking employees, about 80 percent were black. When I walked into a tough situation and the chips were down, no one was asking for a black or white employee, they just wanted someone who could deal with the with problem in an efficient manner. For the same reason, when I needed help, I didn't care about the color of the skin of the employee assisting me.
That's how things work when you are in the trenches and working through the problems.
I didn’t give a damn if you were red, white or polka dotted, you would receive the same service from me as if you were pure gold. (unless you had a attitude)
Unfortunately the politics of DeKalb government don't work that way. DeKalb government has simply changed from overt racism of whites discriminating against blacks in employment and promotions, to covert discrimination against whites found nowadays.
FYI, my relationship with DKPD was purely a support role as network engineer, I held your back, over the years I dispatched from my home in the middle of the night too many times to support you guys. Now you want to burn me for explaining some obvious facts in DeKalb government operations.
I suggest we all get a little realistic in our perception of employees and DeKalb government leadership and institutional racism prevalent in DeKalb government. The 2009 EEO-4 report and summary was no fluke, when I discussed the report with the HR director and staff about the issue of over
representation of blacks and the under-representation of every other race in the employee demographics. Director Ransom would only agree to concentrate on recruiting more Hispanic employees. Director Ransom found no issues with the under-representation of whites, Asians, or anyone else except Hispanics.
When the DeKalb HR director announces she in unconcerned with the excessive black over-representation in the employee workforce at the expense of all other races except Hispanics, what other conclusion can I reach except that DeKalb government is institutionally racist?
Best regards!
KenC

Anonymous said...

DeKalb County Government, Chain of Command is as follows:

1. CEO, Chief Embelzement Officer your fav n mine Little Lord Faunteroy.
2. COC, Chief of Coveringup$ht, Dickie Stogs.
3. BOC, Board of Crooks, the rising star of The National Assoc of Crooks your standard bearer and mine, Lit'l Lari.

Add in Chief Judge, Turn'em Loose and a District Attorney who should take DA Danny Porters class, "Stopin D $ht N Yer County".

Then we have Every Appointment over every department since Big "V" was King.

Good chance we get rid of Sutton, Gannon, Ellis and Mosby this year. All should pray for that outcome.

Anonymous said...

Let's say you have 40 officers taking the sergeants test. To make the test fair, you come up with 40 numbers and put each number in an envelope and put that in a box. You then have the 40 officers reach into the box and pull out one envelope. They can't open the envelope until they get home, to see what their number is. Then you give the test in one day. When the officer goes in to take the test, he writes his number down on his answer sheets to represent himself. Then you give the written test and the scenarios. But, for the scenarios, the officer writes his answers, no verbal BS. When the officer finishes, he puts his answer sheets in another envelope and puts it in a box. At the end, the envelopes are pulled from the box and scored. Those scoring have no idea if the test they are scoring belongs to a asian, black, latino or white officer, nor do they know if they are male or female. If the county were do to this, then I think the test and subsequent scoring would be fair.
While we are at it, do away with the bullsh-- scenarios. Have something realistic like: It's 8:00PM on Monday night and a call comes out of signal 22, armed with a knife, barricaded in a group home. Radio is busting your chops about pending calls, because a severe thunderstorm is hammering the county and all of your units are 10-6. You can't get any help from the other sergeant your working with, because he/she is in the office doing the lieutenant's monthly, entering time in kronos, coming up with action plans to address crime, he/she is doing your eval and their own and they have to do the watch total for the tri-annual inspection. You can't raise the lieutenant on the radio, because the other sergeant told you the lieutenant went to the store to get batteries for the remote. What do you do? This scenario is more realistic than the crap they give you at the test, like: It's 5:00PM and a 747 cargo jet loaded with 500 chimpanzees used in medical testing has just crashed in your precinct and they all survived and are now running amok. Radio has just advised you of a report from NATO that a nuclear missle is headed for the county and you are now directed to evacuate the entire county. What do you do?

Anonymous said...

"Radio has just advised you of a report from NATO that a nuclear missle is headed for the county and you are now directed to evacuate the entire county. What do you do?"

Find a roll of toilet paper for myself.:-)

Anonymous said...

The scenario examples of the test was some funny shit.

Anonymous said...

Haaaaaaaa,, those sgt test scenarios are a bit ridiculous. You are promoting people based on how they perform on scenarios that never happen. Loved the one about the domestic with shots fired,, husband leaves in car,, you stop the car,, husband shoots himself in the head and there's a bomb on the back seat. What would you do? Absolutely ridiculous!

Anonymous said...

You should sit on the board that creates these scenarios. It's just a bunch of bs with no rhyme or reason.