Richmond dispatcher trainee fired after reporting racist comments, lawsuit says

Lance Johnson, a member of the Walpole Island First Nation Band of Indians, sued the city of Richmond in federal court on Wednesday, alleging he was fired as a dispatcher trainee weeks after reporting racist comments and harassment by coworkers.

Johnson's lawsuit says coworkers repeatedly asked whether he "shoots arrows instead of bullets," mocked him for living in a "tee pee," and asked "how do you feel knowing we took your land?" before department leadership fired him in June.

The complaint says Johnson joined the Richmond Police Department as a reserve officer around 2023 and was hired as a full-time dispatcher trainee in January.

According to the lawsuit, racist comments and conduct were common during Johnson's time with the department. The complaint says coworkers used the term "Indian giver" and questioned Johnson about Native American objects that appeared in the department locker room. In one instance, Johnson was shown a spear and told coworkers he believed possession of the items could violate federal law.

The situation escalated in May, the lawsuit says, when Officer Chris Zuellig approached Johnson in front of other employees and asked, "how is it living in your tee pee?" and "how do you feel knowing we took your land?"

Johnson's training officer, Delaney Frantz, and Officer Matthew Palmer, both union stewards, were present but did not intervene, according to the complaint.

Johnson reported the incident to Police Chief Tom Costello and Sgt. Bill Kacanowski, who told him the comments were inappropriate and that those involved would be dealt with swiftly, the lawsuit says.

But the complaint says little happened. A department-wide email was sent, and Johnson says he was told the three officers had been spoken to, but they received no discipline beyond possibly a verbal warning. Zuellig continued working, according to the lawsuit.

After Johnson complained, the lawsuit says, he was told the dispatch center door had to remain closed when he was working, a requirement that did not apply to other dispatchers. Frantz, his training supervisor, also began criticizing his performance for the first time and stopped having friendly conversations with him.

Johnson asked to meet with department leadership about what he viewed as retaliation. That meeting took place June 25. According to the lawsuit, Johnson met with Costello and Kacanowski expecting to discuss the harassment and retaliation. Instead, he was fired as a dispatcher trainee and told only that things were "not working out."

The complaint says Johnson was later replaced by a white employee. It also says the department stopped scheduling him as a reserve officer.

Johnson filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by July 15, accusing the department of racial and national origin discrimination and retaliation. His lawsuit says he intends to add claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act once the EEOC issues him a right to sue notice.

The federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan brings seven counts against the city under federal civil rights law and Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Johnson is seeking lost wages and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief. He has requested a jury trial.

Jack W. Schulz, Johnson's attorney, described the firing as retaliation for Johnson's internal complaints over the harassment.

Richmond police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.