By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Two veteran Black Seattle police officers have filed separate claims against the City of Seattle, accusing the Seattle Police Department of fostering a workplace culture marked by racial harassment and unequal treatment. The claims, filed by the James Bible Law Group in King County Superior Court, allege discrimination, retaliation, hostile workplace conditions, and emotional distress.
Both complaints seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, attorney fees, and broader workplace protections aimed at preventing future discrimination and retaliation within the department.
Together, the filings raise broader questions about workplace culture, accountability, and the experiences of Black officers within SPD. Both claims allege the incidents described in the complaints were not isolated events, but part of larger patterns of discriminatory conduct that persisted over the course of both officers’ careers.
The claims also come as SPD continues facing public scrutiny surrounding accountability, recruitment, retention, workplace culture, and community trust amid ongoing conversations about police reform and transparency.
Griffin’s claim alleges supervisors and fellow officers subjected him to racially discriminatory treatment throughout his career with SPD. According to the complaint, Griffin, who spent more than three decades with the department, claims that he repeatedly experienced disparate treatment in assignments, discipline, and advancement opportunities compared to white colleagues with similar experience and qualifications.
According to the filing, Griffin claims white officers who engaged in similar conduct were treated differently in disciplinary matters, including allegations involving sleeping on duty. The claim also alleges Griffin was denied overtime opportunities, specialized assignments, advancement opportunities, and participation as a Field Training Officer despite extensive experience within the department.
The complaint includes several allegations describing racially hostile workplace behavior. Among those allegations is a claim that officers placed Griffin’s name over the image of a Black suspect displayed inside the South Precinct and left the altered image visible for weeks. According to the filing, supervisors allegedly failed to remove the image despite regularly passing by the display.
The claim further alleges Griffin was subjected to racially offensive comments from fellow officers, including remarks questioning whether Black people “grow tails after midnight.”
According to the complaint, Griffin claims he was required to undergo remedial training after responding to a call in which a white man repeatedly used racial slurs toward Griffin during an incident captured on video.
The filing also alleges Griffin witnessed racially insensitive conduct involving other Black officers during Griffin’s time within the department, contributing to what the claim describes as an ongoing hostile workplace culture.
Foy’s claim contains similar allegations involving racial comments, disparate treatment, retaliation, and hostile workplace conditions. According to the complaint, Foy alleges discriminatory treatment extended to workplace discipline, interactions with supervisors, and day-to-day workplace culture inside the department.
According to Foy’s complaint, another officer allegedly referred to Foy as looking “like a damn thug” on multiple occasions in front of other officers.
The claim also alleges Foy experienced inconsistent discipline compared to non-Black officers, including heightened scrutiny involving tardiness, uniform requirements, overtime assignments, and work performance expectations.
Court documents also claim officers mocked Foy’s Southern accent, made racially insensitive comments in the workplace, and displayed racially charged materials inside department facilities.
According to the filings, both Griffin and Foy allege repeated complaints about discriminatory conduct either went unaddressed or resulted in retaliation rather than meaningful intervention from department leadership. Both claims allege SPD leadership failed to meaningfully address complaints involving workplace discrimination and retaliation.
The complaints also describe the emotional and professional toll the alleged conduct had on both officers over time. The filings argue the alleged workplace conditions affected both officers emotionally and professionally throughout their careers, while also creating environments that undermined morale, trust, and professional advancement.
Despite the allegations outlined in the complaints, both filings state Griffin and Foy remained committed to public service and continued serving in the department because of commitments to their communities and a desire to serve as examples for younger generations entering law enforcement. Both officers also maintained longstanding ties to Seattle’s communities of color throughout their careers, according to the filings.
According to the filings, both Griffin and Foy submitted tort claims to the City of Seattle in September 2024 before pursuing litigation in Superior Court.
Attorney James Bible, who represents both officers, said the claims describe workplace experiences that extend beyond isolated incidents and raise broader concerns about how Black officers are treated within the department.
“These claims describe experiences that no employee should have to endure, particularly within a public institution responsible for serving a diverse community,” Bible said. “Our clients remained committed to public service despite years of alleged discrimination and retaliation, and these filings seek accountability as well as meaningful change.”
Bible also said the allegations outlined in the claims are especially troubling given both officers’ longstanding service and commitment to the community.
“Officers like Michael Griffin and Corey Foy dedicated their careers to serving Seattle and building relationships within communities that have historically faced challenges with policing and trust,” Bible said. “The allegations outlined in these claims raise serious concerns not only about workplace treatment, but about the broader culture inside the department.”
SPD did not respond to requests for comment from The Seattle Medium as of press time.
