The City of Beverly Hills has settled another lawsuit involving former Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) Chief Sandra Spagnoli over claims of racial discrimination. The Los Angeles Superior Court case, Routt, et. al. v Beverly Hills, involved three Black Traffic Control Officers who claimed they had been demoted on account of their race. The City has already paid approximately $8 million in judgments and settlements in cases alleging various forms of discrimination by the former chief, who resigned in April. Though unreported until now, the City settled the Routt case in November for $375,000.
“For quite some time, I have discussed how a police department allowing discrimination against its employees based on race, national origin or other protected characteristics is a danger to the community,” attorney Bradley Gage told the Courier. Gage also referred to incidents of alleged racial profiling of shoppers on Rodeo Drive. “By fighting discrimination within the department, we also help protect the community from racial profilingdiscrimination outside of the department,” he added.
