Murfreesboro police officer sues chief, city over alleged discrimination, harassment

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A police officer in Murfreesboro is suing his boss, Police Chief Michael Bowen, and the city.

Officer Christopher Williams is alleging discrimination, harassment, and inequality.

Williams said since March of 2011 he’s been a full-time employee of the Murfreesboro Police Department. The lawsuit states that despite years of service, he’s been continuously passed over for promotions, just like other officers of color.

In the complaint, the dissatisfied officer argued that the last MPD officer of color who was promoted was back in 2014. Williams’said the department consistently practices discriminatory policies to keep African Americans from promotion within the department.

He’s alleging instances of physical and verbal harassment from white coworkers. Including in 2016, when Williams said two officers pointed a gun at his back.

He said two years later an officer verbally attacked him, with degrading terms regarding his dark complexion.

The attorney representing the city, and police chief, responded with this statement, “The City of Murfreesboro and Chief Bowen strongly deny all allegations of discrimination and/or wrongdoing asserted by Officer Williams in his lawsuit. It is our practice not to address any specific allegations in the complaint or to comment further while the lawsuit is pending.”

FOX 17 News has also reached out to Williams’ attorney, I'Ashea Myles-Dihigo, for further comment.