Trooper Files Lawsuit
6/21/2008
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A former Louisiana state trooper, with Troop I in Lafayette, has filed a lawsuit against the department claiming systemic racial discrimination in promotions, access to training classes and in how black troopers are reprimanded.
Derek Landry alleges in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday that black troopers at Troop I are treated unfairly in relation to their white counterparts. The suit is filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Landrys attorney, L. Clayton Burgess, said that historically, "the state police have not provided the same opportunities for African-American troopers as Caucasian troopers."
He says those who stand up to file a complaint are retaliated against.
Burgess also is representing Brian Ardoin, a black trooper who he said is facing the same issues.
Sergeant Markus Smith, a spokesman for Louisiana State Police, declined to comment, citing departmental policy prohibiting discussions of ongoing litigation.