Filed Date: Feb. 13, 2024
Case Ongoing
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This case challenges the allegedly racially hostile work environment within the Dearborn Heights Police Department. On February 13, 2024, an Arab American Muslim police officer at the Dearborn Heights Police Department (“DHPD”) filed a lawsuit against the City of Dearborn Heights in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The plaintiff alleged that his employer discriminated and retaliated against him on the basis of race, religion, and national origin. The plaintiff brought the claim under 42 U.S.C § 1983, alleging that the Police Department’s conduct violated the First Amendment and discriminated against the plaintiff on the basis of his race and religion in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. The plaintiff also brought a state law claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as for a violation of Michigan’s Whistleblower Protection Act. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiff sought monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and costs from the City. Plaintiff also sought injunctive relief barring the Dearborn Heights Police Department from further discrimination and retaliation and requiring any future investigations of the plaintiff to be conducted by an independent party appointed or approved by the court.
In the complaint, plaintiff claimed that other officers and senior members of the DHPD believed he was inappropriately favoring community members sharing his Arab American and Muslim identity while carrying out his police duties. This suspicion, plaintiff claimed, led to false accusations and formal investigation into plaintiffs’ alleged sexual harassment of other officers and participation in a ticket-fixing scheme. The plaintiff further alleged that the mayor of Dearborn Heights was aware that the DHPD targeted the plaintiff and either encouraged, or was deliberately indifferent to, the racial harassment within the police department.
The case was assigned to Judge Judith E. Levy and referred to Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Stafford.
As of March 2024, this case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Grayson Metzger (3/2/2024)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68246571/bazzy-v-dearborn-heights-city-of/
Last updated March 6, 2024, 7:55 a.m.
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 13, 2024
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
An Arab American Muslim police officer at the Dearborn Heights Police Department
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City of Dearborn (Dearborn Heights, Wayne), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination Basis:
National origin discrimination
Affected Race(s):