WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Friday revived a discrimination lawsuit brought by more than 200 black police officers who claim they were mistreated by white supervisors with the U.S. Capitol Police. The black officers had sued in 2001, charging that white senior officers had created a hostile work environment by referring to them with derogatory terms like “gangsters” and, in some cases, denying them promotions to the rank of sergeant or lieutenant.
A lower court judge had dismissed the case, saying most of the black officers had not fully pursued mediation before filing the lawsuit. An appeals panel Friday reversed that part of the decision and said they could sue.
“It’s a great day, and I’m thankful,” said Sharon Blackmon-Malloy, a leader of the black officers who retired two years ago. Eleven officers in the lawsuit have died since the case started, she said, “and hopefully now we’ll have an opportunity to receive some of the justice that they fought for so dearly all these years.”
