Richmond Police Officer Alleges Racist Harassment Before Firing in Federal Lawsuit

A former Richmond police officer sued the city Wednesday in federal court, alleging coworkers subjected him to racist harassment about his Indigenous heritage and then the department fired him weeks after he complained.

Lance Johnson, a full tribal member of the Walpole Island First Nation Band of Indians, claims the Richmond Police Department created a hostile work environment and retaliated against him in violation of federal civil rights law and Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

According to the lawsuit, Johnson joined the Richmond Police Department as a reserve officer around 2023 and was hired as a full-time dispatcher trainee in January. He alleges coworkers repeatedly asked whether he "shoots arrows instead of bullets" and used the term "Indian giver," prompting him to explain the term's racist history.

The complaint also says Native American objects appeared in the department locker room and officers questioned Johnson about their authenticity and value. In one instance, Johnson said he was shown a spear and told coworkers he believed possession of the items could violate federal law.

The lawsuit says the harassment escalated in May 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 later 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 the response was limited. A department-wide email was sent, and Johnson says he was told the three officers had been spoken to, but the complaint says they received no discipline beyond possibly a verbal warning. Zuellig continued working, according to the lawsuit.

Johnson says his own treatment changed instead. After he complained, the lawsuit alleges, Johnson 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, limiting their interactions to work-related matters.

Johnson eventually 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 alleges Johnson was later replaced by a white employee. It also says the department stopped scheduling him as a reserve officer, leaving him feeling unsafe working alongside officers he says failed to protect him from harassment.

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, filed 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 of Schulz Law PLC, who filed the lawsuit on Johnson's behalf, described the firing as retaliation for Johnson's internal complaints over the harassment.

Richmond police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.