Woman suing D.C. Police for alleged Canadian discrimination

A Canadian woman who landed a job working for Washington D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department almost 10 years ago is suing her former supervisor for discriminating against her because of her nationality.

Laurie J. Samuel, who moved to the United States 17 years ago, claims that she received an “ongoing pattern of harassment” because of her “national origin.”

Samuel was hired in 2006 as a Project Specialist in the Human Resources Management Division and claims that the harassment began immediately after she was brought on to the team.

The lawsuit claims that her supervisor, Diane Haines, “harbored resentment which manifested in snide comments” about Samuel’s heritage.

Haines’ alleged offenses against Samuel include: telling Samuel that she’s “talking white,” which is not typical of an “African American,” starting sentences with “here in America we…,” and releasing a copy of Samuel’s personal records without permission.

The filing states that in 2010, the work environment became “so unbearable” that she began to make several requests to transfer departments, all of which were denied.

The lawsuit also states that Samuel made multiple complaints to senior managers and nothing was done.

In October 2013, Samuel was “constructively discharged” from her job and has been unemployed since, leaving her resident status in limbo. The filing claims that she “has suffered a loss of income, emotional distress and pecuniary damages.”

The Washington City Paper noted that as far as it’s aware, the department has never been sued for discriminating against a Canadian until now.

According to the document, Samuel is requesting back pay and compensatory and punitive damages.