Melvindale officer alleges police racism, religious bias in lawsuit

• Hammoud got here to the division in 2021, however says that he has been stress -related depart since January.
• Hammoud’s go well with claims that members of the Division use racial shoots and the code “04” in discussing the intimidation of black residents.

In a brand new lawsuit, a Muslim police officer claims that supervisors and colleagues centered on the Melvindale police due to his faith and ethnicity, crossing and leaving a Christian Bible in his work put up bus and tries to cease him.

Cpl. Hassan Hammoud additionally claims within the court docket case, submitted on 29 Might in Wayne County Circuit Court docket, that racism is widespread within the police and speak about “searching” when the town work of the town closest to Detroit, a majority black metropolis, a majority black metropolis.

Hammoud, who was born in Lebanon and joined the division in 2021, claims that members of the racial litters division used to confer with black individuals and informally use a code quantity – “04” to confer with intimidation of black residents.

The town of Melvindale and the police of Melvindale are talked about as defendants within the court docket case. Melvindale police chief Robert Kennaley didn’t instantly reply to phone and e -mail messages that left on 29 Might.

Melvindale Company Counsel Lawrence Coogan mentioned that the court docket case of 29 Might is the primary he heard of one of many complaints and he anticipated that he had heard about such points after they occurred.

“I’m very nervous if one in all these accusations is true – I’m not saying that they’re,” mentioned Coogan.

In line with the court docket case, Hammoud remains to be working within the division, however says that since January he has been on administrative depart “due to psychological issues attributable to the working circumstances which have made the circumstances of his work insufferable.”

The lawsuit claims that Hammoud was subjected to non -specific racial intimidation of a colleague in 2021 and he complained to Kennaley, who was nonetheless a sergeant at the moment. Hammoud claims that two corporals haven’t made particular racist remarks in his presence, one in all them over a couple of years. Hammoud says within the court docket case that he confronted one of many corporals with racist remarks, however was afraid to lose his job if he complained to supervisors. The go well with says he has submitted repeated complaints to Kennaley and a lieutenant about discriminatory remedy.

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Hammoud claims that he present in his police put up field:

• A photograph of a nude lady in September 2024;
• A picket Christian cross the day after he discovered the photograph;
• A software for a pizza restaurant, with a be aware: “Go” in October 2024;
• A Christian Bible and cross the day after he discovered the appliance type.

“This lawsuit reveals a deeply disturbing tradition of racism and spiritual intolerance that isn’t solely insulating and punished Corp. Hammoud due to his faith and race, but in addition directs that bias to the communities that the division is sworn to guard,” mentioned Hammoud’s Detroit, Jonathan Marko.

“The town of Melvindale has made a system of discrimination attainable to flourish uncontrolled – and our buyer steps ahead to ensure accountability.”

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The lawsuit claims that Kennaley didn’t act on his complaints, informed him to cease writing colleague officers for alleged racist language and habits, and to take revenge on him as a result of he saved complaining. The lawsuit claims that racist habits is talked about by a minimum of two particular officers, however these officers should not talked about as defendants within the court docket case.

The lawsuit claims that violations of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act by Michigan via unequal remedy, a hostile working setting and retribution. It’s not searching for particular cash harm.

This story has been up to date so as to add new data.

Please contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.