At least one person’s not happy LAPD Sgt. Ronald Crump convinced the Los Angeles City Council to award him $1.5 million for harassment he suffered at the hands of his boss.
“This sends the wrong message to the department and the public,” says Councilman Dennis Zine, who was joined by Council Bernard Parks in disapproving of the payout. “I don’t think this is an appropriate expenditure just for some comments made to him.”
Sgt.Crump filed a complaint in 2009, after he alleges he was subject to derogatory remarks from Lieutenant John Romero, who allegedly told Crump, “I was a religion major at Liberty University. Jerry Falwell would roll over in his grave if he knew I had hired you.”
When Crump complained to his bosses’ supervisor, Romero allegedly threatened to fire Crump for “rumor mongering,” stating “Don’t forget I hired you even through you’re gay.”
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Crump complained to then-Police Chief Bill Bratton, but soon found himself transferred from the LAPD’s media-relation’s department to a 911 dispatch, and then to Skid Row, which has one of the highest homeless populations in the country.
When Crump’s complaint to the LAPD Professional Standards Bureau went nowhere he filed a lawsuit. He won in 2011, but the city appealed, and has now decided to settle rather than file another appeal.
In 2011, Crump’s attorney Gregory Smith says the LAPD—once nicknamed the “God Squad” for its fundamentalist leanings—regularly fails to fairly investigate discrimination and retaliation cases.
“We offered to settle this case for $100,000 and a transfer for Sgt. Crump to Hollywood Division. The department rejected that offer,” Smith said. “From 2008 through 2009, there were approximately 350 investigations done by the LAPD concerning internal complaints of discrimination and retaliation of officers against officers, only one of which was upheld.”
At the time, journalist Karen Ocamb said the case ran the risk of jeopardizing “the trust the LGBT community has been slowly developing toward the long anti-gay LAPD.”
As part of his settlement, Crump will resign from the department. Romero, meanwhile, has advanced to captain.
Dakotahgeo
And of course, we’re supposed to respect law enforcement at all times, right? WRONG!!! The best of luck and good wishes to Officer Ronald Crump. You got out of the cesspool… most won’t get that chance.
Caleb in SC
I agree. It is a terrible waste of taxpayer money that officers in the LAPD discriminated against a fellow officer who was gay. It is also even more appalling that those that perpetuated these actions have been allowed to keep their careers while Officer Crump was forced to resign as part of the settlement deal.
2eo
What the christian hell is a religion major?
That’s the most worthless qualification I’ve ever seen, and I worked briefly for a university who offered a course in Batman.
Not surprised at the homophobic and religious hatred still forced by higher ups in the police force, maybe if they weren’t covering each other for the massive paedophile ring they run [like our Metropolitan Police] and did there jobs properly we wouldn’t need lawsuits.
Merv
Wait a second. If the extent of harassment was making the comment “I was a religion major at Liberty University. Jerry Falwell would roll over in his grave if he knew I had hired you,” then of course $1.5 million is excessive. Hell, it’s a pretty accurate statement. I hope there’s more to it than this.
jwrappaport
Sorry, but the settlement sends exactly the right message: Bigotry is unacceptable – even more so when it has the color of law behind it. Good ol’ fashioned retributive justice.
Kudos to you, Ronald. Although it’s a pity you have to give up such a hunky uniform.
Dakotahgeo
@2eo: Sorry to burst your intellectual bubble but a BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Religion is the first step in pursuing Christian ministry in most Christian Higher Education. It is not the only qualifying degree but it generally leads to a Masters Degree in Divinity (M.Div.)for full time ministry in a number of areas. Please do some research into your comments before posting… it helps you to look and sound more professional. Sorry about that. (I respect your ideals and stance, but please know your facts and quit sounding like those po’ persecuted christians, emphasis on the small “c”.
singforfood
@Merv: I think the settlement is less about the harassment itself and more about the fact that when re tried to report it, he was met with inaction from some and then retaliation from others. That’s why the settlement is so big, cuz the problem went so high up the chain of command.
balehead
Actually he seems like an opportunist….If he couldn’t handle a few words from fellow cops..then he shouldn’t be on the force…Criminals would have called him way worse!!…
erasure25
@Merv and @balehead: The plaintiff’s attorney offered to settle for $100K and a transfer to a different precinct. The LAPD refused and went ahead with a trial. They lost. The LAPD should have settled. So it is their fault. The plaintiff was not an opportunist. He simply demanded justice, and in this case, justice prevailed. Also, its worth noting that he had to quit his job as part of the settlement.
erasure25
@singforfood: Also the plaintiff offered a reasonable settlement but the LAPD refused and went to trial. Trials are always dangerous because the penalties are almost always more if you lose.
Spike
@balehead: Err, criminals are not considered ‘co-workers’ nor a ‘supervisor’ in an employment setting. BTW, did you miss the part about the case going to trial and jury and that he won his case? Apparently you don’t believe there is discrimination in the work place and/or in some cases, it’s OK.
n900mixalot
100k and a transfer to Hollywood? I call BS. This guy is an opportunist at best. My partner’s a cop who has struggled with these scenarios time and time again. You know why he sticks with it? Because HE LOVES BEING A COP.
What a wuss.