The Minneapolis City Council voted overwhelmingly to settle a discrimination lawsuit brought by five black police officers against the city, the police department and Chief Tim Dolan.
The council voted 12-1 to pay the officers a total of $740,000 to settle the suit. The city admitted no guilt and will take no further action.
Lt. Don Harris will receive $187,668 from the settlement; Lt. Medaria Arradondo and Sgt. Charlie Adams each will get $187,666; Lt. Lee Edwards will receive $137,000; and Sgt. Dennis Hamilton will get $40,000.
The suit was filed in December 2007, claiming Dolan and other high-ranking police officials passed over the officers for promotions they deserved, discriminated against them because they were black, created a hostile work environment and retaliated against them.
The five officers claimed the department had long discriminated against blacks in virtually every aspect of the organization — hiring, training, promotion, disciplinary practices and overtime opportunities. They said discrimination worsened after Dolan became chief.