SEPTA settles federal racial discrimination suit

It claimed a police supervisor created a hostile work environment, and SEPTA’s police chief retaliated against three officers
Former SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel.
Former SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel. Photo credit NBC10

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio)SEPTA has agreed to pay three of its police officers nearly $500,000 to settle a federal racial discrimination suit after the officers alleged that a police supervisor created a hostile work environment and the police chief at the time retaliated against them.

In a 2019 EEOC complaint, a Black SEPTA Transit Police officer accused his supervisor of repeatedly calling him a racial epithet, insulting Muslims, and ridiculing the officer for eating chicken.

The complaint accused then-SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel of retaliating against the officer, and against two white officers who spoke out against the harassment.

Nestel abruptly retired as chief on July 5. Charles Lawson was chosen as acting police chief.

The U.S. Justice Department said Monday it has reached an agreement with SEPTA to settle the case.

Under the terms of the settlement, SEPTA will pay the three officers a total of $496,000 and it will put anti-discrimination policies into effect.

“All transit police officers deserve to go to work each day without fear of harassment and retaliation from their supervisors and colleagues,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division.

SEPTA said it was already taking actions to improve its policies.

“The SEPTA Transit Police Department will work in close coordination with our Human Resources, Legal and EEO departments to improve our policies and processes, and how this information is communicated to employees,” the transit agency said in a statement.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: NBC10