A Kansas City, Missouri, fire captain has filed suit against the city alleging race discrimination, associational discrimination, and retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act. The suit was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court and seeks damages and equitable relief.
The plaintiff, Donnell Roberts, identified in the complaint as African American, has served with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2005. At the time of the lawsuit, Roberts was serving as a captain assigned to the department’s Diversity and Recruitment Division.
According to the complaint, in April 2022 the then–fire chief (who’s name was redacted from the complaint) encouraged Roberts to apply for an open deputy chief position. Captain Roberts alleges that despite being recruited and meeting the qualifications, he was not selected for an interview. He states that the position was ultimately filled by a candidate with less education and training. The explanations given to Captain Roberts for his non-selection allegedly changed over time, including assertions that he lacked battalion chief experience—an explanation Captain Roberts disputes, noting that the selected candidate also lacked such experience…