A former Detroit Police captain is suing the police department charging that his demotion was the result of racial discrimination. Gary Sroka is white. His lawsuit says he and another white officer were disciplined after a video was put on social media showing a black woman walking home after her car was towed, with the caption that said ‘black girl magic.’
Sroka says he had nothing to do with the video. Two officers who made the video were suspended. The city says Sroka was demoted for not doing enough to change a racially divisive atmosphere at the precinct.
The lawsuit charges that he was disciplined because of his race, and his age. He is 66. He was given the option to retire or accept a demotion to lieutenant. The lawsuit says he was a captain at the precinct for 3 days before the video was seen.
The lawsuit says another command officer who is black was not disciplined.
