POLICE OFFICER SUES CITY; RACISM ALLEGED IN SUSPENSION OF FORD

A Cape Girardeau Police officer has filed a lawsuit accusing the city of discrimination, saying he was suspended and unfairly disciplined because he is black.

Officer Freddie Ford is asking for $2 million in damages in the suit, which was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis.

City officials said they found out about the suit Thursday, but only the city attorney agreed to comment about it.

"We're going to make sure the appropriate response is made," said City Attorney Warren Wells. "But we haven't had a chance to really deal with it yet."

Ford could not be reached for comment Thursday. Police Chief Howard Boyd, Jr. declined to comment.

The suit names the city, Mayor Gene Rhodes, the police department, City Manager J. Ronald Fischer and Chief Boyd.

It also names Cape Girardeau City Council members David Limbaugh, Melvin Gateley, Melvin Kasten, Doug Richards, Al Spradling, III and Mary Wulfers.

Ford is asking for $1 million in actual and $1 million in punitive damages.

Ford is a former detective with the department who is now working as an officer.

The charges of discrimination stem from Ford's suspension from the department earlier this year after he was accused of sexually molesting a 19-year-old college student. Ford was acquitted of the charges during a jury trial in March.

The student, who has since dropped out of school, accused Ford of abusing him in March of 1991. Ford was then working as a detective. He met the student while working on a case concerning a stolen telephone.

The student accused Ford of making him drop his pants and then fondling him. Ford denied the charges.

Ford was suspended with pay while the charges were being investigated. After charges were filed in the case, he was suspended without pay, the suit alleges. After his acquittal, Ford was re-instated to the department, but not as a detective.

Ford is being represented in the suit by St. Louis Civil Rights attorney Doris Gregory Black.

The suit alleges Ford was "intentionally discriminated against because of his race."

It also states Ford was disciplined "more severely than white employees" accused of similar misconduct.

Ford, 51, has worked at the Cape Girardeau Police Department since Jan. 1, 1981. Previously, he worked with the St. Louis Police Department for 11 years.

After Ford was accused of molesting the student, the suit alleges he was required to take a polygraph test. When Ford failed the test, he was asked to take another one. The suit alleged Ford was suspended because he failed the first test, and was unfairly required to take the second one.

It states that as a result of the suspension, Ford "lost back pay, job opportunities and benefits." It also states Ford's suspension caused "emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment" and violated his civil rights.

A jury trial is requested in the case.