Dave v. District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department , 905 F. Supp. 2d 1 ( 2012 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PRATEEK DAVE, :
:
Plaintiff, : Civil Action No.: 08-0856(RC)
:
v. : Re Document No.: 37
:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA :
METROPOLITAN POLICE :
DEPARTMENT, :
:
Defendant. :
MEMORANDUM OPINION
GRANTING IN PART DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT; REQUIRING
SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEFING CONCERNING PLAINTIFF’S LIBERTY INTEREST DUE PROCESS
CLAIM
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff, Prateek Dave, is an Indian-American former cadet with the District of Columbia’s
Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”). He alleges that MPD failed to advance him and, ultimately,
terminated his employment based on his race and national origin and in retaliation for his prior complaints
of discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq.
("Title VII") and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Additionally, plaintiff alleges that his termination violated the due
process clause of the Fifth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 because he was not given adequate notice
or opportunity to be heard. Defendant, the District of Columbia, has moved for summary judgment. For
the reasons set forth below, that motion is GRANTED in part, but the Court requires supplemental
briefing concerning the liberty interest due process claim.
II. BACKGROUND
A. Factual Background
By letter dated September 15, 2004, MPD informed plaintiff that he had been selected for the
position of Police Officer. The District of Columbia’s Amended Motion for Summary Judgment (“MSJ”)
1
[Docket #37], Exh. J. Plaintiff was explicitly informed that his first eighteen months would be served in a
probationary status, during which his suitability for continued employment as a police officer would be
assessed. Id. Additionally, plaintiff was informed that his appointment could be terminated with no
rights to appeal. Id. Plaintiff accepted the offer and was assigned to recruit class 2004-8. MSJ, Exh. I.
From the start, plaintiff had difficulty with the physical training. On October 5, 2004, he failed
the assessment test for push-ups, sit-ups and the 1.5 mile run. MSJ, Exh. Q. He also failed some of his
academic exams initially and on re-examination. MSJ, Exh. I.
On November 8, 2004, plaintiff was injured during physical training. MSJ, Exh. A (Plaintiff’s
Answers to Defendant’s First Set of Interrogatories) at 2-3. Plaintiff alleges that, during a training
exercise, Sergeant Timothy Desmond 1 pushed him down a steep and slippery hill, causing him to run
down the hill into a parked vehicle resulting in severe injury to his shoulder. Id. Afterwards, plaintiff
alleges that Sgt. Desmond asked him where he was from (which plaintiff interpreted as asking him what
country he was from) and advised him not to let the class intimidate him (which plaintiff interpreted as he
should not let his classmates intimidate him). See MSJ, Exh. B, Deposition of Prateek Dave (July 15,
2011) (“Depo. Vol. I”) at 159-176. Plaintiff concluded that these statements were discriminatory and was
offended by them. Id.Plaintiff claims that he complained about Sgt. Desmond’s actions. Id. But it is unclear whether
plaintiff complained that Sgt. Desmond’s actions were discriminatory. See Depo. Vol. I at 172 (plaintiff
submitted PD-119 form to Lieutenant Tommy Hayes but does indicate whether it contained allegations of
discrimination); MSJ, Exh. C, Deposition of Prateek Dave (July 27, 2011) ("Depo. Vol. II") at 68-69
(plaintiff does not recollect whether the PD-119 referred to discrimination from Desmond), 70 (cannot
recall whether he told Sgt. Jones that Desmond was racist); 90 (other than PD-119, plaintiff did not
complain about Desmond’s discrimination but cannot recall what he put in the document), 144-45
(plaintiff does not recollect telling anyone that Desmond discriminated against him, either verbally, in
1
This individual is referred to as Mr. Dumonte or DeMont in the deposition testimony. For
purposes of simplicity, the Court refers to the name used in the Amended Complaint (Desmond).
2
exhibit 154, or in the PD-119), 147-48 (plaintiff may have told Sgt. Jones, but maybe not). This is not an
insubstantial issue. Plaintiff has based a large part of his claims on alleged retaliation. But he has not
clearly demonstrated that he engaged in protected activities by complaining about discrimination.
Without having engaged in protected activity, there can be no actionable retaliation claims. Regardless,
because the parties have not raised or briefed this issue, for purposes of resolving this motion, the Court
will assume without deciding that plaintiff engaged in protected activity.
Subsequent to his shoulder injury, plaintiff was placed on limited duty for a period of time.
Depo. Vol. II at 98. Plaintiff does not challenge the basis of that decision. Id. He acknowledges that the
decision was based on medical opinions and does not allege that any of the individuals he claimed
discriminated against him had any influence on the process. Id. at 106-109, 177. But while plaintiff was
on limited duty related to his shoulder injury, his classmates continued to progress with their training. Id.
at 130-33. Thus, by the time plaintiff had returned to full duty status, his classmates had completed many
of the training modules plaintiff had not, and the training class had graduated and plaintiff had to be sent
to another class. Id.Subsequent to being returned to full duty, plaintiff failed two physical training tests. Id. at 155-
156; see also MSJ, Exh. Q. A third failure would have resulted in termination. Id. Although plaintiff
was scheduled to take the third physical test, he did not do so because he developed asthma. Id. Based on
plaintiff’s doctor’s recommendation (Dr. Varma), plaintiff was again placed on limited duty. Id. at 204-
205. This again resulted in plaintiff falling behind his classmates with respect to physical training. Id. at
211-213.
As a result of his asthma, plaintiff received treatment from Dr. Michael Tsun, M.D. at Northern
Virginia Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates. MSJ, Exh. F (Declaration of Michael Tsun, M.D.)
(“Tsun Decl.”) at ¶ 3. Because of that treatment, on July 21, 2006, Dr. Tsun provided plaintiff with a
handwritten note for hand-delivery to the Police and Fire Clinic Associates. Tsun Decl. at ¶ 5. That note
stated that plaintiff could go back to full duty, however, Dr. Tsun preferred that plaintiff work indoors if
air quality was code orange or red. Id.; MSJ, Exh. H at DC 31.
3
Martin Rosenthal, M.D., is a physician at the Police and Fire Clinic Associates, LLC. MSJ, Exh.
D (Declaration of Martin Rosenthal, M.D.) (“Rosenthal Decl.”) at ¶ 2. In that capacity he provides
occupational health services to sworn members of MPD, including plaintiff. Id. Due to his asthma,
plaintiff had been on non-performance of duty status that prevented him from performing the full duties
of an MPD cadet from February 1, 2006 through August 2, 2006. Id. at ¶ 4. On August 1, 2006, Dr.
Rosenthal received a hand-written note from Dr. Tsun indicating that plaintiff could return to full duty
status. Id. at ¶ 5. Dr. Rosenthal signed the document he received. Id.; MSJ, Exh. H at DC 32. Dr.
Rosenthal believed the document appeared altered because there were large gaps between numerous
words in the document. Id.The next day, on August 1, 2006, plaintiff saw Michelle Smith Jefferies, M.D., a consultant at the
Police and Fire Clinic, for an Initial Disability Evaluation pertaining to his asthma. MSJ, Exh. E
(Declaration of Michelle Smith-Jefferies, M.D.) (“Jefferies Decl.”) at ¶¶ 3-6. As part of this evaluation,
Dr. Jefferies examined the note from Dr. Tsun. Id. at ¶¶ 6-8. Dr. Jefferies also considered the note
suspicious and obtained plaintiff’s consent to talk directly to Dr. Tsun. Id. Immediately after the
evaluation, Dr. Jefferies telephoned Dr. Tsun who read the contents of the note he wrote to Dr. Jefferies.
Id. at ¶ 9. Dr. Tsun also faxed a copy of the note he wrote to Dr. Jefferies which included the restrictions
set forth above. Id. Dr. Jefferies also spoke to Dr. Rosenthal and confirmed that the note had not been
altered between the time he accepted delivery the previous day and the evaluation. Id. Based on her
strong suspicion that plaintiff had altered Dr. Tsun’s handwritten note in an attempt to return to full duty,
Dr. Jefferies submitted both versions of Dr. Tsun’s handwritten note and a memorandum detailing what
had taken place to Captain Michael Eldridge, MPD’s Director of the Medical Services Section, for further
review. Id. at ¶ 10; MSJ, Exh. H at DC 19.
As a result of the referral from Dr. Jefferies, MPD initiated an investigation concerning the
allegation that plaintiff presented a falsified medical record to the doctors at the Police and Fire Clinic in
an effort to maintain his employment. MSJ, Exh. H at DC 10-34. During the investigation, plaintiff
denied he altered the document. Id. at DC 20-21. He stated then (and through this litigation) that he
4
provided the Police and Fire Clinic the handwritten note that Dr. Tsun’s office provided to him. Id.;
2
Depo. Vol. II at 241-245. Drs. Rosenthal and Jefferies cooperated with the investigation. Rosenthal
Decl. at ¶ 8; Jefferies Decl. at ¶ 11. In the investigative report, Lieutenant Hayes concluded that plaintiff
altered the document and recommended that he be cited for Adverse Action consistent with MPD
guidelines. MSJ, Exh. H at DC 15. By letter dated September 19, 2006, the Director of MPD’s Institute
of Police Science concurred in the report’s findings and recommended that plaintiff be terminated on the
basis of the altered record. Id. at DC 11. On September 21, 2006, that recommendation was concurred
with and forwarded to the Chief of Police. Id. at DC 10. By letter dated September 26, 2006 (served
September 27, 2006), Chief of Police Ramsey notified plaintiff that he was terminated effective October
13, 2006. Id. at DC 2 & 7. The letter gave no reason for the termination. Id.B. Procedural History
On October 23, 2006, plaintiff submitted an administrative complaint to the District of
Columbia’s Office of Human Rights. MSJ, Exh. L at DC 2-10. In it, he complained about race and
disability discrimination concerning his discharge and discipline. Id. More specifically, plaintiff
complained about his shoulder injury making him unable to properly do push-ups and being failed on that
basis. Id. Plaintiff further complained that he was not given proper training and, after developing asthma,
he was terminated because he could not perform his police duties. Id. By letter dated October 25, 2006,
the Office of Human Rights informed plaintiff that his administrative complaint had been dismissed for
failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Id. at DC 1.
On March 13, 2007, plaintiff submitted an intake questionnaire to the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Opposition to
Defendant’s Amended Motion for Summary Judgment [Docket #42] (“Opposition”), Exh. B. In that
Questionnaire, plaintiff asserted race and disability discrimination concerning lack of training and his
2
In the investigative report, Lieutenant Tommie Hayes states that, a few days subsequent to giving
his official statement, the plaintiff came to his office and confessed to altering the medical record. MSJ,
Exh. H at DC 15. Although Plaintiff has not expressly denied this, he does not concede that he confessed
in this litigation.
5
termination. Id. On May 25, 2007, plaintiff submitted a Charge of Discrimination to the EEOC.
Opposition, Exh. C. In that Charge, however, he only alleged disability discrimination. Id.Plaintiff filed the current action on May 19, 2008. After plaintiff received a full and fair
opportunity to take discovery, defendant moved for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below,
that motion will be granted in part.
III. LEGAL STANDARD FOR A MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Summary judgment may be granted when "the movant shows that there is no genuine
dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.
R. Civ. P. 56(a). A fact is "material" if it is capable of affecting the substantive outcome of the
litigation. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). A dispute is "genuine" if
sufficient evidence exists such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving
party. See Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380 (2007).
The principal purpose of summary judgment is to streamline litigation by disposing of
factually unsupported claims or defenses and determining whether there is a genuine need for
trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323-24 (1986). The moving party bears the initial
responsibility of identifying those portions of the record which demonstrate the absence of any
genuine issue of material fact. Id. at 323; Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A) (noting that the movant
may cite to "depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations,
. . . admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials"). In response, the non-moving party
must similarly designate specific facts in the record that reveal a genuine issue that is suitable for
trial. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324. On a motion for summary judgment, the court must "eschew
making credibility determinations or weighing the evidence," Czekalski v. Peters, 475 F.3d 360,
363 (D.C. Cir. 2007), and all underlying facts and inferences must be analyzed in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party, Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255. Nevertheless, conclusory
6
assertions offered without any evidentiary support do not establish a genuine issue for trial.
Greene v. Dalton, 164 F.3d 671, 675 (D.C. Cir. 1999).
IV. ANALYSIS
Plaintiff alleges that MPD failed to advance him and, ultimately, terminated his
employment based on his race and national origin and in retaliation for his prior complaints of
discrimination in violation of Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Additionally, plaintiff alleges that
his termination violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
For the reasons set forth below, all of these claims fail except that the Court requires
supplemental briefing concerning plaintiff’s liberty interest due process claim.
A. Plaintiff’s Title VII Claims Are Untimely or Unexhausted
In its Motion for Summary Judgment, the District of Columbia argues that plaintiff’s
Title VII claims are untimely because plaintiff failed to file his EEOC charge within 30 days of
being informed by DC’s Office of Human Rights that his administrative complaint had been
dismissed. MSJ at 13-14. Ignoring the plain language of the relevant statute, plaintiff responds
that his Title VII claims are, in fact, timely because he filed his charge directly with the EEOC
on May 25, 2007. Opposition at 7-8. Plaintiff’s Title VII claims fail because they are either
untimely or unexhausted.
The EEOC has broad authority to enforce Title VII’s mandates, and the EEOC has
established detailed procedures for the administrative resolution of discrimination complaints.
Bowden v. United States, 106 F.3d 433, 437 (D.C. Cir. 1997). “Complainants must timely
exhaust these administrative remedies before bringing their claims to court.” Id. In particular,
Title VII requires that plaintiffs file an EEOC charge within a certain time period of the allegedly
unlawful act. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1). Specifically, the statute states:
7
(e) Time for filing charges; time for service of notice of charge on respondent; filing of
charge by Commission with State or local agency; seniority system
(1) A charge under this section shall be filed within one hundred and eighty days after the
alleged unlawful employment practice occurred and notice of the charge (including the
date, place and circumstances of the alleged unlawful employment practice) shall be
served upon the person against whom such charge is made within ten days thereafter,
except that in a case of an unlawful employment practice with respect to which the
person aggrieved has initially instituted proceedings with a State or local agency with
authority to grant or seek relief from such practice or to institute criminal proceedings
with respect thereto upon receiving notice thereof, such charge shall be filed by or on
behalf of the person aggrieved within three hundred days after the alleged unlawful
employment practice occurred, or within thirty days after receiving notice that the State
or local agency has terminated the proceedings under the State or local law, whichever is
earlier, and a copy of such charge shall be filed by the Commission with the State or
local agency.
42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e) (emphasis added).
Plaintiff did not file his EEOC charge within 30 days of being informed by the DC Office
of Human Rights that his administrative complaint had been dismissed. Plaintiff was informed
of the dismissal on or about October 25, 2006, MSJ, Exh. L, but did not file his EEOC charge
until May 25, 2007, Opposition Exh. C. Although plaintiff argues that the case cited by the
District of Columbia is inapposite, he does not explain why the plain language of the statute does
not make his claim untimely. 3
Instead, plaintiff argues that his filing of an EEOC charge on May 25, 2007 satisfies any
exhaustion problem. 4 But, even putting aside the plain language of the statute, the EEOC charge
3
Perhaps if plaintiff had filed his EEOC charge within 180 days of his termination (October 13,
2006), he could have argued that the two prongs of the statute work in the alternative. See Rucker v.
Western Elec. Co., 521 F. Supp. 986, 988 (M.D. Fla. 1981) (a plaintiff may file a charge within 30 days of
the local agency dismissal or within 180 days of the allegedly discriminatory act). But he did not file his
EEOC charge until May 25, 2007, well past the 180-day mark of approximately April 11, 2007.
4
The DC Office of Human Right’s letter does not advise plaintiff that, because of the dismissal, he
had 30 days to file an EEOC charge. MSJ, Exh. L. Perhaps plaintiff could have argued that he was
entitled to equitable tolling on that basis. See generally Gates v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 492 F.2d 292,
295 (9th Cir. 1974). But equitable tolling is to be sparingly used and poses a high burden to meet. And
plaintiff has not requested equitable tolling, much less proven entitlement to it.
8
only claims disability discrimination. Opposition, Exh. C. However, the disability claims in this
case have previously been dismissed. [Docket #17] So, whatever effect the filing of the EEOC
charge had on the exhaustion of plaintiff’s administrative remedies, it did not preserve the Title
VII race, national origin, and retaliation claims that remain before this Court. As such, they must
be dismissed. 5
B. Plaintiff’s Due Process Claims
Plaintiff claims that he was terminated in violation of his due pro process rights because
he was not given adequate notice or opportunity to be heard. He brings this claim both directly
under the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution and pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Because
plaintiff fails to demonstrate that he had a protected property interest in his continued
employment, that portion of his due process claim fails. However, because the parties have
inadequately briefed the liberty interest portion of plaintiff’s due process claims, the Court will
order supplemental briefing on this claim only.
1. Property Interest
In its motion for summary judgment, the District of Columbia argues that plaintiff had no
property interest in his continued employment because he was a probationary employee. MSJ at
20-21. Plaintiff attempts to shift the burden of proof by arguing that the “District provides no
proof that Dave was a probationary employee.” Opposition at 13-14. Plaintiff claims that he
was told he would be a probationary employee for eighteen months when he was hired, but he
was terminated beyond the eighteen month period. Id. But as set forth below, plaintiff has failed
to prove that, despite having been a probationary employee for more than eighteen months, he
5
Regardless, even had plaintiff exhausted these claims, they would fail on the merits. See infra pp.
16-19.
9
had any legitimate expectation of continued employment. Thus, he has failed to demonstrate that
he had a property interest in his position at MPD.
The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment provides that no person shall be
deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. U.S. Const. amend. V. As
plaintiff recognized in his Opposition, in order to establish a Fifth Amendment deprivation of
property claim based on termination from employment, the Court must engage in the "familiar
two-part inquiry." First, a plaintiff must demonstrate that he has a "property interest in continued
employment." Orange v. District of Columbia, 59 F.3d 1267, 1274 (D.C. Cir.1995) (citing
Cleveland Bd. of Educ. v. Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532, 538 (1985)). Property interests "'are created
and their dimensions are defined by existing rules or understandings that stem from an
independent source such as state law.'" Id. (quoting Bd. of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 577
(1972)) (property interests are created and circumscribed "by existing rules or understandings
that stem from an independent source such as state law - rules or understandings that secure
certain benefits and that support claims of entitlement to those benefits."); see also Perry v.
Sindermann, 408 U.S. 593, 604 (1972) (the policies and practices of an institution can create a
protected property interest in government employment). "To have a property interest in a
benefit, a person clearly must have more than an abstract need or desire for it. He must have
more than a unilateral expectation of it. He must, instead, have a legitimate claim of entitlement
to it." Roth, 408 U.S. at 577 (1972). Only if plaintiff has demonstrated a property interest in
continued employment, must the Court determine whether he was deprived of the process he was
due. Orange, 59 F.3d at 1273-74 (citing Logan v. Zimmerman Brush Co., 455 U.S. 422, 428
(1982)).
10
As the D.C. Circuit has made clear, an employee’s status as a probationary employee
poses a large hurdle to clear in order to establish a property interest. Piroglu v. Coleman, 25
F.3d 1098, 1104 (D.C. Cir. 1994). This is so because probationary employees are ordinarily
considered employees at will and “‘[t]hose who are terminable at will have no property interest
because there is no objective basis for believing that they will continue to be employed
indefinitely.’” Id. (quoting Hall v. Ford, 856 F.2d 255, 265 (D.C. Cir. 1988)). It is undisputed
that plaintiff was hired as a probationary employee and was told that his probationary status
would last for a period of eighteen months. MSJ, Exh. J. But the question is what legitimate
expectation of continued employment did plaintiff have once the eighteen month period expired?
Although plaintiff may have had an abstract desire for continued employment, he had no
property interest in such continued employment because no state law, rules or understandings
provided him such.
First, plaintiff has pointed to no statute, regulation, or rule indicating that he was no
longer a probationary employee and was entitled to any job protections simply because the
eighteen-month period had elapsed. To the contrary, the applicable provision of the personnel
manual (Code of D.C. Municipal Regulations) clearly indicates that, for entry-level police
officers serving eighteen-month probationary periods, the probationary period is extended by a
day “for each workday that the employee is not performing the full range of the police duties of
the position to which assigned, including, but not limited to, periods of sick leave or non-contact
status . . . . ” 8 D.P.M. § 813.9(b). As set forth above, due to his shoulder injury and asthma,
plaintiff could not perform the full range of police duties for significant periods of time. Thus,
despite being an MPD cadet for more than eighteen months, plaintiff’s eighteen-month
probationary period was extended and, consequently, he was still a probationary employee at the
11
time of his termination. Plaintiff’s Opposition brief does not address this provision nor does he
explain how he could have a different understanding in light of it.
Second, plaintiff points to no policies or understandings that would indicate that,
regardless of the applicable personnel manual provision, an expectation of continued
employment for someone in his position had built up over time. To the contrary, the letter the
Fraternal Order of Police sent on plaintiff’s behalf to challenge his termination made clear that it
too understood that plaintiff had no property interest in his position. MSJ, Exh. K at DC 4
(noting its understanding that plaintiff was a probationary employee at the time of his
termination because his probationary status had been extended because he was unable to perform
his full range of police duties).
Accordingly, because plaintiff has failed to point to existing rules or understandings that
stem from District of Columbia law, rules or understandings that support his claims to continued
employment, he has not shown that he possessed a property interest in his position as an MPD
cadet. Thus, he could be terminated without any process due to him and his claims based on an
alleged deprivation of a property interest without due process of law fail.
2. Liberty Interest
In his Amended Complaint, plaintiff alleges that he had a liberty interest in his
employment and the manner in which he was terminated without notice or opportunity to be
heard stigmatized him and damaged his reputation and foreclosed him from taking advantage of
future employment opportunities.6 The District of Columbia’s motion for summary judgment
6
Plaintiff requests a number of forms of relief including reinstatement and backpay. Amended
Complaint at Counts III & IV. However, it appears that his only available remedy may be a name-
clearing hearing. Doe v. Dep’t of Justice, 753 F.2d 1092, 1102 (D.C. Cir. 1985)(“Doe’s liberty interest
implicates her post-employment reputation rather than any right to continued employment with the
Department; if Doe can demonstrate that the DOJ harmed her professional standing without providing the
proper procedural protections, her remedy is a ‘name-clearing’ hearing.”).
12
fails to address this claim and plaintiff re-asserted this claim in its Opposition. Despite the
District of Columbia not filing a reply brief to address this claim, the Court will require
supplemental briefing on this claim because it is unclear that plaintiff’s liberty interest claim
should go to trial. 7
Under the precedents of the Supreme Court and the D.C. Circuit, a government
employee’s due process rights are implicated when a firing or demotion is coupled with a
defamatory official statement, see Mosrie v. Barry, 718 F.2d 1151, 1161 (D.C. Cir. 1983), or
when an adverse employment action (considered somewhat more broadly) is combined with “a
stigma or other disability that foreclose[s] [the plaintiff’s] freedom to take advantage of other
employment opportunities,” O’Donnell v. Barry, 148 F.3d 1126, 1140 (D.C. Cir. 1998) (quoting
Roth, 408 U.S. at 573). The first case is known as a “reputation-plus” claim; “it presumably rests
on the fact that official criticism will carry much more weight if the person criticized is at the
same time demoted or fired.” Id.; see also Paul v. Davis, 424 U.S. 693, 710 (1976) (reading
Roth to hold that “defaming an individual in the course of declining to rehire him could entitle
the person to notice and an opportunity to be heard as to the defamation,” but not to suggest that
“a defamation perpetrated by a government official but unconnected with any refusal to rehire
would be actionable” as a due process violation). The second case goes by the name of “stigma
or disability,” because “it does not depend on official speech, but on a continuing stigma or
disability arising from official action.” O’Donnell, 148 F.3d at 1140. A plaintiff may not “sue
purely on the basis of the stigma associated with being fired; the Court found in Paul v. Davis,
that stigma alone is not actionable, without a showing that a ‘right or status previously
7
The District of Columbia moved for an extension of time in order to file a reply brief based, in
part, on the “complexity” of the case. [Docket # 43] Despite being granted the extension and the case’s
complexity, the District of Columbia failed to file a reply brief.
13
recognized by state law’ has been ‘distinctly altered or extinguished.’” Id. at 1139 (quoting
Paul, 424 U.S. at 711) (internal citations omitted).
Plaintiff’s termination letter did not state the reason for plaintiff’s termination. MSJ,
Exh. H at DC 2. Although plaintiff was terminated for misconduct, the District did not make this
information public. In fact, plaintiff claims that, until this litigation, he was unaware that the
termination was based on his misconduct. Opposition at 8-9. These facts seem problematic for
plaintiff’s reputation-plus claim. See, e.g., Harrison v. Bowen, 815 F.2d 1505, 1518 (D.C. Cir.
1987) (“In Harrison’s case, however, there was no publication of the reasons for the dismissal,
and thus no stigmatic harm.”); Mazaleski v. Treusell, 562 F.2d 701,712-14 (D.C. Cir. 1977)
(requiring public dissemination of allegations of misconduct); De Sousa v. Dep’t of State, 840 F.
Supp. 2d 92, 110-11 (D.D.C. 2012) (reputation-plus claim fails because government never
spread derogatory information about plaintiff).
Moreover, plaintiff has not presented facts indicating that his termination was
accompanied with a change of legal status, beyond a disadvantage or impediment, that forecloses
his freedom to take advantage of other employment opportunities. Mazaleski, 562 F.2d at 713;
De Sousa, 840 F. Supp. 2d at 11-12 (plaintiff’s “stigma or disability” theory fails because she has
not alleged any official government action that has automatically barred her from a specific set
of positions within the government or generally blocked her from pursuing employment in her
chosen field of interest). In fact, at the time of his deposition, plaintiff was gainfully employed
as a private security officer in a federal government building. Depo. Vol. I at 54-55.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, the Court is skeptical of plaintiff’s liberty
interest claim. However, because the parties have not adequately briefed the issues, the Court
will require supplemental briefing on only this claim.
14
C. Plaintiff’s Discrimination & Retaliation Claims Fail
Plaintiff alleges that he was discriminated against on the basis of his race and national
origin when he was denied certain training and held back in advancement during his cadet tenure
and, ultimately, terminated. He brings retaliation claims on the same basis. He has brought
these discrimination and retaliation claims pursuant to Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. As set
forth above, plaintiff’s Title VII claims are untimely or unexhausted. And, as set forth below, his
claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1981 fail on the merits. 8
Section 1981 provides:
All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every
State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and
to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and
property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains,
penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other.
42 U.S.C. § 1981. But before the merits of plaintiff’s discrimination and retaliation claims can
be assessed, two preliminary issues must be addressed.
First, “[a] cause of action under § 1981 can be brought when a plaintiff has suffered an
injury flowing from the racially motivated breach of his contractual relationship with another
party.” Hamilton v. District of Columbia, 720 F. Supp. 2d 102, 113-14 (D.D.C. 2010).
However, a plaintiff may not bring a claim against a government municipality directly under §
1981; instead, it must be brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Jett v. Dallas Independent
School Dist., 491 U.S. 701 (1989). 9 As a result, a plaintiff must demonstrate that a violation of §
8
Even if plaintiff’s Title VII claims were timely and had been properly exhausted, they too would
fail on the merits for the same reasons that his 42 U.S.C. § 1981 claims fail.
9
Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint raises discrimination and retaliation claims directly pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 1981. Amended Complaint, Count II. And his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims pertain only to due
process claims. Amended Complaint, Count IV. However, because the District of Columbia has not
raised this issue in its motion for summary judgment, the Court will liberally interpret plaintiff’s § 1983
claims to also encompass the § 1981 discrimination and retaliation claims.
15
1981 “‘was caused by a custom or policy within the meaning of Monell and subsequent cases.’”
Hamilton, 720 F. Supp. 2d at 114 (quoting Jett, 491 U.S. at 735-36).10 A plaintiff “can establish
that a custom or policy of the District violated [his] constitutional rights by demonstrating (1)
‘the explicit setting of a policy by the government,’ (2) ‘the action of a policy maker within the
government,’ (3) ‘the adoption through a knowing failure to act by a policy maker of actions by
his subordinates that are so consistent that they have become custom,’ or (4) ‘the failure of the
government to respond to a need (for example, training of employees) in such a manner as to
show deliberate indifference to the risk that not addressing the need will result in constitutional
violations.’” Hamilton v. District of Columbia, 852 F. Supp. 2d 139, 149-50 (D.D.C. 2012)
(quoting Baker v. District of Columbia, 326 F.3d 1302, 1306 (D.C. Cir. 2003)); see also
Dickerson v. District of Columbia, 806 F. Supp. 2d 116, 120 (D.D.C. 2011).
With respect to plaintiff’s termination claim, that action was taken directly by the Chief
of Police. MSJ, Exh. H at DC 2. "[T]he action of a policy maker within the government" is
enough to establish a municipal policy. Baker, 326 F.3d at 1306. "It does not matter that the
policymaker may have chosen 'a course of action tailored [only] to a particular situation and not
intended to control decisions in later situations'; if the decision to adopt that particular course of
action is intentionally made by the authorized policymaker, 'it surely represents an act of official
government "policy"' and 'the municipality is equally responsible whether that action is to be
taken only once or to be taken repeatedly.'" Bd. of Cnty. Com'rs v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397, 418
(1997) (quoting Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 481 (1986)) (alteration in original).
10
The amendments to 42 U.S.C. § 1981 pursuant to the 1991 Civil Rights Act did not change the
analysis set forth in Jett. Sledge v. District of Columbia, – F. Supp. 2d –, 2012 WL 2389992 (D.D.C.
2012).
16
Thus, with respect to the termination claim, plaintiff has met the Monell standard based on the
action of a policy maker within the government.
But, with respect to the training and advancement claims, plaintiff has not clearly
indicated what custom or policy caused his alleged harm. To the contrary, he challenges actions
that appear to be unique to his situation. Nor has he alleged that such actions were undertaken
by the Chief of Police or any other policy maker. See Hamilton, 852 F. Supp. 2d at 150
(plaintiffs’ allegations of actions taken by their immediate supervisor, Sergeant Proctor, as well
as Deputy Fire Chief Gary Palmer fail to meet the Monell standard because neither official has
final policymaking authority under state law). Neither has he established that the District was
deliberately indifferent to his purported discriminatory treatment. To the contrary, nowhere has
he alleged that, prior to his termination, he complained to superiors about discriminatory or
retaliatory treatment concerning his training/advancement.11 Finally, plaintiff argues that it was
widespread knowledge among recruits and officers that MPD had issues related to discriminatory
terminations (but no word concerning training) and that such discriminatory actions had become
so widespread as to have become custom. Opposition at 17. But such generalized claims
without reference to specific facts are insufficient at the summary judgment stage. Patterson v.
County of Oneida, New York, 375 F.3d 206 (2d Cir. 2004) (claim that discrimination against
African-Americans was so widespread as to permit inference of policy or custom fails because it
is too conclusory, unsupported with specific facts, and based on third-party hearsay); see also
Hamilton, 852 F. Supp. 2d at 152 (fact that two former employees have filed similar suits does
not help plaintiff because plaintiff failed to link discriminatory policy involved in prior suits to
11
To the extent that plaintiff complained about discrimination at all prior to his termination (and, as
set forth above, that is not clear), it only concerned the actions of Sgt. Desmond during the specific
training exercise on the hill.
17
his own allegations of harm). Accordingly, the District of Columbia could not be held liable
under §§ 1981/1983 for training/advancement claims.
Second, the District of Columbia argues that plaintiff cannot bring a claim pursuant to §
1981 because, as a public employee, plaintiff’s employment is governed by applicable statutes
and regulations, not contract. MSJ at 26-29. However, that argument fails for two reasons.
Courts in this District have held that, just as at-will employees may bring claims pursuant to §
1981, public employment does not preclude a § 1981 claim. Kennedy v. District of Columbia,
519 F. Supp. 2d 50, 59-61 (D.D.C. 2007); see also Wilk v. District of Columbia, 730 F. Supp. 2d
20, 23 n.3 (D.D.C. 2010). Moreover, a claim may be brought pursuant to § 1981's full and equal
benefits clause, not just its make and enforce contracts clause. Mazloum v. District of Columbia,
522 F. Supp. 2d 24, 37-39 (D.D.C. 2007). Accordingly, the Court will address plaintiff’s
discrimination and retaliation claims on the merits.
1. Plaintiff’s Termination Claim Fails
In assessing discrimination and retaliation claims under § 1981, courts utilize the familiar
McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting paradigm utilized in Title VII cases. See, e.g., Berger v.
Iron Workers Reinforced Rodmen Local 201, 843 F.2d 1395, 1413 n.7 (D.C. Cir. 1988); Jenkins
v. Nee, 640 F. Supp. 2d 47, 49 (D.D.C. 2009). Generally, to prevail on a claim of discrimination
or retaliation under Title VII, a plaintiff must follow a three-part burden-shifting analysis known
as the McDonnell Douglas framework. Lathram v. Snow, 336 F.3d 1085, 1088 (D.C. Cir. 2003);
Taylor v. Solis, 571 F.3d 1313, 1320 n.* (D.C. Cir. 2009) (observing that “[r]etaliation claims
based upon circumstantial evidence are governed by the three-step test of McDonnell Douglas
Corp. v. Green”); Morgan v. Fed. Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 328 F.3d 647, 651 (D.C. Cir.
18
2003) (applying the McDonnell Douglas framework to a Title VII retaliation claim). The
Supreme Court explained the framework as follows:
First, the plaintiff has the burden of proving by the preponderance of the evidence a
prima facie case of discrimination. Second, if the plaintiff succeeds in proving the prima
facie case, the burden shifts to the defendant “to articulate some legitimate,
nondiscriminatory reason for the employee’s rejection” . . . . Third, should the defendant
carry this burden, the plaintiff must then have an opportunity to prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that the legitimate reasons offered by the defendant were
not its true reasons, but were a pretext for discrimination . . . . The ultimate burden of
persuading the trier of fact that the defendant intentionally discriminated against the
plaintiff remains at all times with the plaintiff.
Tex. Dep’t of Cmty. Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 252-53 (1981) (internal citations omitted)
(quoting McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802 (1973)).
To establish a prima facie case of race discrimination under Title VII (and thus under §
1981), the plaintiff must show that “(1) [he] is a member of a protected class; (2) [he] suffered an
adverse employment action; and (3) the unfavorable action gives rise to an inference of
discrimination.” Brown v. Brody, 199 F.3d 446, 452 (D.C. Cir. 1999); see also Stewart v.
Ashcroft, 352 F.3d 422, 428 (D.C. Cir. 2003); Carroll v. England, 321 F. Supp. 2d 58, 68
(D.D.C. 2004). “The burden of establishing a prima facie case of disparate treatment is not
onerous.” Burdine, 450 U.S. at 253. If the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, a presumption
then arises that the employer unlawfully discriminated against the employee. Id. at 254. To
rebut this presumption, the employer must articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for
its action. Id. The employer “need not persuade the court that it was actually motivated by the
proffered reasons.” Id. Rather, “‘[t]he defendant must clearly set forth, through the introduction
of admissible evidence,’ reasons for its actions which, if believed by the trier of fact, would
support a finding that unlawful discrimination was not the cause of the employment action.” St.
Mary’s Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 506 (1993) (quoting Burdine, 450 U.S. at 254-55).
19
To establish a prima facie case of retaliation, a plaintiff must show that (1) he engaged in
a statutorily protected activity, (2) a reasonable employee would have found the challenged
action materially adverse, and (3) there existed a causal connection between the protected
activity and the materially adverse action. Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. Co. v. White, 548 U.S.
53, 67-69 (2006); Jones v. Bernanke, 557 F.3d 670, 677 (D.C. Cir. 2009). In the retaliation
context, the term “adverse action” “encompass[es] a broader sweep of actions than those in a
pure discrimination claim.” Baloch v. Kempthorne, 550 F.3d 1191, 1198 n.4 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
Thus, “[r]etaliation claims are ‘not limited to discriminatory actions that affect the terms and
conditions of employment’ and may extend to harms that are not workplace-related or
employment-related so long as ‘a reasonable employee would have found the challenged action
materially adverse.’” Id. (quoting Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. Co. v. White, 548 U.S. 53, 64, 68
(2006)). The plaintiff’s burden is not great: he “need only establish facts adequate to permit an
inference of retaliatory motive.” Forman v. Small, 271 F.3d 285, 299 (D.C. Cir. 2001).
If the employer successfully presents a legitimate, non-discriminatory or non-retaliatory
reason for its actions, the presumption raised by the prima facie case is rebutted and drops from
the case. St. Mary’s Honor Ctr., 509 U.S. at 507; Brady v. Office of the Sergeant at Arms, 520
F.3d 490, 494 (D.C. Cir. 2008) (noting that “the prima facie case is a largely unnecessary
sideshow”). Upon such a showing by the defendant, the district court need resolve only one
question: “Has the employee produced sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that the
employer’s asserted non-discriminatory [or non-retaliatory] reason was not the actual reason and
that the employer intentionally discriminated against the employee on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, [] national origin [or retaliation]?” Brady, 520 F.3d at 494. The court must
consider whether the jury could “infer discrimination [or retaliation] from the plaintiff’s prima
20
facie case and any other evidence the plaintiff offers to show that the actions were discriminatory
[or retaliatory] or that the non-discriminatory [or non-retaliatory] justification was pretextual.”
Smith v. District of Columbia, 430 F.3d 450, 455 (D.C. Cir. 2005) (quoting Murray v. Gilmore,
406 F.3d 708, 713 (D.C. Cir. 2005)). The court should assess the plaintiff’s challenge to the
employer’s explanation in light of the totality of the circumstances of the case. Aka v. Wash.
Hosp. Ctr., 156 F.3d 1284, 1291 (D.C. Cir. 1998) (en banc).
Plaintiff was an Indian-American (Asian) police cadet who was terminated from his
position. Plaintiff has also claimed that he complained of discriminatory treatment and was
terminated because of such protected activity. But the District of Columbia has set forth a
legitimate non-discriminatory, non-retaliatory basis for the dismissal, i.e., plaintiff was
terminated because he altered a medical record and, during the investigation, denied having done
so. MSJ, Exh. H at DC 10. Thus, the Court turns to the only relevant question: has plaintiff
produced sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that this reason for the termination was
not the actual reason and that, instead, discrimination or retaliation was. On the record
presented, the Court finds that a reasonable jury could not find in plaintiff’s favor.
Plaintiff challenges the District of Columbia’s non-discriminatory, non-retaliatory basis
for his termination as pretextual. Opposition at 9-10. In this regard, he offers three arguments.
Each of them fail.
First, plaintiff argues that MPD’s shifting justification for his termination is probative of
pretext. Opposition a 9. But MPD’s justification for the termination has not shifted. The
justification for the termination was simply not previously communicated to him. Although the
termination letter did not contain a reason for the termination, the contemporaneous paperwork
leading up to the termination is clear: the basis for the determination was plaintiff’s altering of
21
the medical record and his denial of such during the investigation. MSJ, Exh. H. Plaintiff’s
Opposition does not address this undisputed chronology.12 Accordingly, there is no record of
any shifting justification.
Second, plaintiff argues that he has steadfastly maintained that the falsification
allegations are false. Opposition at 9-10. But that is beside the point. In a situation such as that
presented, the question is not whether plaintiff altered the document or falsely denied he did, but
whether MPD honestly and reasonably believed that the underlying misconduct occurred.
Brady, 520 F.3d at 496 (“The question is not whether the underlying sexual harassment occurred;
rather, the issue is whether the employer honestly and reasonably believed that the underlying
sexual harassment incident occurred.”);13 Musick v. Salazar, 839 F. Supp. 2d 86, 97-98 (D.D.C.
2012) (same); Asewole v. PSI Services, 798 F. Supp. 2d 57, 63 n.4 (D.D.C. 2011) (same);
Dunning v. Quander, 468 F. Supp. 2d 23, 32 n.10 (D.D.C. 2006) (declining to review de novo
results of investigation because court is not to act as super-personnel department). Although
plaintiff implies that the investigation was inadequately conducted, he has presented no evidence
12
Although plaintiff notes that the basis for the termination is not mentioned in the D.C. Office of
Human Rights or the EEOC documentation, Opposition at 9, the record before the Court does not indicate
that MPD provided any basis for the termination.
13
In Brady, the Circuit specifically rejected what plaintiff attempts to do here: create a dispute of
fact by merely denying that the underlying events occurred. Brady, 520 F.3d at 496 (“Allowing Brady to
end-run summary judgment in these circumstances would create significant practical problems.
Employers obviously have to resolve factual disagreements all the time in order to make employment
decisions regarding hiring, promotion, discipline, demotion, firing, and the like. In many situations,
employers must decide disputes based on credibility assessments, circumstantial evidence, and
incomplete information. But Brady's argument would mean that every employee who is disciplined,
demoted, or fired for alleged misconduct could sue for employment discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin and-merely by denying the underlying allegation of misconduct-
automatically obtain a jury trial. Brady cites no support for that proposition, which would wreak havoc on
district courts' orderly resolution of employment discrimination cases and improperly put employers in a
damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't posture when addressing disciplinary issues in the workplace.”).
22
that MPD did not honestly believe in its conclusion. The matter investigated was straight-
forward and narrow. The fact that the investigation was short does not impugn its
reasonableness. Brady, 520 F.3d at 496 (rejecting claim that employer over-reacted and adopted
hair-trigger approach to the reported incident). Although plaintiff made a general denial that he
altered the medical record, he had the greatest motive to do so in order to be returned to full duty,
a number of unbiased medical professionals supported the conclusion that he did alter the
document, and no other plausible explanation has been proffered for how an indisputably altered
doctor’s note was presented to the Clinic. Simply put, it was reasonable for MPD to rely on the
investigation’s conclusions.
Finally, plaintiff argues that the investigation was tainted because the person who led the
investigation, Lt. Hayes, was also the person who had previously ignored plaintiff’s complaints
about the incident with Sgt. Desmond in which plaintiff injured his shoulder. Opposition at 10.
Thus, plaintiff claims that Sgt. Desmond would have been biased against plaintiff calling the
objectivity and, hence, the validity of the investigation into question. But plaintiff does not
challenge the motives or credibility of any of the witnesses to the events. In fact, the witnesses
were unbiased medical professionals who had nothing to do with the Sgt. Desmond incident.
And plaintiff points to no unreasonable conclusions reached by Lt. Hayes based on the straight-
forward evidence. Thus, no reasonable juror would infer discrimination or retaliation based on
plaintiff’s attenuated and poorly-developed theory of Lt. Hayes’s ill motive.
Accordingly, plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that the legitimate non-discriminatory,
non-retaliatory reason for his termination was pretextual. Because plaintiff has failed to produce
sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that MPD’s reason for his termination was not
the actual reason and that MPD intentionally discriminated against him on the basis of his race,
23
national origin or retaliation, his § 1981 claims concerning his termination must be dismissed.14
2. Plaintiff’s Training and Advancement Claim Fails15
Plaintiff has alleged that, in retaliation for engaging in protected activity, he was
relegated to only academic work at the academy, made to train with a lower class, subjected to
sarcastic remarks about his ability to do his job, and deprived of specialized training (particularly
firearms and vehicle skills training). Opposition at 11-12. But these claims fail on the facts and
the law.
With respect to being relegated to only academic work at the academy, plaintiff’s own
deposition testimony is that this was a result of his being placed in a limited duty status based
first on his shoulder injury and later on his asthma (based on his personal doctor’s
recommendation). Depo. Vol. II at 130-33; 177-78; 201-05; 211-13. And, as a result, his cadet
class advanced beyond him and he fell behind to subsequent cadet classes. Id. In his deposition
testimony, plaintiff acknowledged that being relegated to only academic work and, as a result,
falling behind one’s cadet class, was the logical consequence of being placed on limited duty
which decision was based on medical advice. Id. Accordingly, plaintiff has presented no
evidence (beyond conclusory allegations) that these acts were based on a desire to retaliate
against him.
With respect to the allegation concerning being subjected to sarcastic remarks, this claim
too fails on the facts. At his deposition, plaintiff was unable to provide any information about
that claim. Depo. Vol. II at 213. As such, no evidence supports it. And this claim fails on the
14
And, as previously stated, the same analysis would also doom any of plaintiff’s Title VII claims
had they been timely or properly exhausted.
15
As set forth above, plaintiff’s training and advancement claim fails because he has failed to
satisfy the Monell standard. See supra pp. 17-18. But the Court analyzes the merits as an alternative
basis to dismiss these claims.
24
law as well because being subjected to sarcastic remarks does not rise to the level of material
adversity on which a retaliation claim may be based. See, e.g., Taylor, 571 F.3d at 1321(employer’s criticism of plaintiff for exhibiting “negative behaviors” was not a materially
adverse action because petty slights and minor annoyances would not deter a reasonable
employee from making a charge of discrimination); Baloch, 550 F.3d at 1199 (supervisor’s
alleged profanity-laden yelling does not meet the requisite level of regularity or severity to
constitute material adversity because the Supreme Court has emphasized that sporadic verbal
altercations or disagreements do not qualify as adverse actions for purposes of retaliation
claims).
Finally, plaintiff claims that he was denied specialized training (particularly firearms and
vehicle skills training) in retaliation for his complaints of discrimination. But, even according to
his own testimony, he was not denied such training; he was simply told he had to first complete
his physical training before he could receive the specialized training. Depo. Vol. II. at 132-36.
So, in fact, it was not so much a denial of training; instead it was a decision on which order
plaintiff would receive his training (the entire academy involves training). Plaintiff argues that
the denial of this training was materially adverse because such training was integral to being a
police officer and the denial of such would affect his future employment with MPD. Opposition
at 11-12. But, at this point in time, plaintiff had not completed his physical training and, in fact,
never did complete it. Absent completing the physical training, plaintiff could never become a
police officer. Thus, under these facts, the Court concludes that MPD’s decision to postpone the
specialized training until plaintiff completed his physical training was not materially adverse
because it, in fact, did not materially change his employment conditions, status or benefits and
25
not receiving such training did not result in objectively tangible harm to this plaintiff.16 Allen v.
Napolitano, 774 F. Supp. 2d 186, 204 (D.D.C. 2011); see also Dorns v. Geithner, 692 F. Supp.
2d 119, 132 (D.D.C. 2010) (employer’s refusal to allow plaintiff to attend four training courses
was not materially adverse because plaintiff failed to demonstrate that the denial produced any
adverse consequences in her employment status, conditions, or benefits); Powell v. Castaneda,
247 F.R.D. 179, 183-84 (D.D.C. 2007) (denial of a training session was not materially adverse
because such a minor inconvenience would not deter a reasonable employee from making or
supporting a charge of discrimination).
Accordingly, plaintiff’s allegations pursuant to § 1981 that, in retaliation for engaging in
protected activity, he was relegated to only academic work at the academy, made to train with a
lower class, subjected to sarcastic remarks about his ability to do his job, and deprived of
specialized training (particularly firearms and vehicle skills training) fail on the facts and the
law. Consequently, they will be dismissed.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, defendant's motion for summary judgment is granted in part
and denied in part. Plaintiff’s discrimination and retaliation claims based on Title VII and 42
U.S.C. §§ 1981 & 1983 are dismissed. Plaintiff’s Fifth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 due
process claims based on a purported property interest are also dismissed. The Court requests
supplemental briefing only on plaintiff’s Fifth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 due process
claim based on a purported liberty interest. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion
16
Obviously, not having received this specialized training had nothing whatsoever to do with
plaintiff’s termination or his failure to graduate from the academy and become a police officer.
26
is separately and contemporaneously issued this 9th day of November, 2012.
RUDOLPH CONTRERAS
United States District Judge
27