City Settles With Reinstated Crime-Scene Detective Who Alleged Racism in DPD

Morrey Taylor

Roosevelt Holiday

​I know this is skipping way ahead first thing on a Monday, but I see here that next Wednesday, the Dallas City Council will vote to settle that federal lawsuit Dallas Police Department crime-scene detective Roosevelt Holiday brought against the city and DPD at the end of '09. For those who haven't read Sam's story on Holiday from August '08, here's the long story very, very short: About four years ago, Holiday, a 26-year vet of the DPD, accused his higher-ups of racism and cronyism and was summarily transferred to a lesser gig. He filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and eventually got his old job back -- about a week after Sam's piece ran, matter of fact.

But on December 1, 2009, Holiday filed suit against the city and DPD anyway, claiming "white employees formed their own internal 'selection committee' to determine credentials for crime scene detectives." He also wanted lost wages, mental anguish and harassment pay, etc. The city and DPD denied everything. Yet, according to the council's agenda, Holiday and his attorney, Rob Wiley, have agreed to settle the suit -- for $87,000. Council will be briefed privately on the matter before voting to OK the deal. And speaking of city settlements related to the DPD, on the same day the council will settle with Eudreka Wilson, who was injured after colliding with a police car. She gets $45,000.