Former police chief appeals dismissal of federal race discrimination lawsuit against Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, La. ( KLFY ) — A former Lafayette police chief is attempting to revive his federal race discrimination lawsuit against the city after it was thrown out last month.

Thomas Glover, who was police chief from December 2020 until he was removed in October 2021, said in court filings last week that he is taking his case to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In late July, U.S. District Court Judge David C. Joseph agreed with the city that Glover failed to show that he was fired due to “intentional race-based discrimination” because his immediate replacement was also a Black male, among other reasons.

After Glover was fired, Wayne Griffin was appointed as interim chief . According to case filings, although Griffin held the position for only a few months, it was the city’s initial intent to have him as permanent police chief. He was in the top three candidates of a national search for a new police chief in 2020, ranking right behind Glover. Griffin, however, was booted from that role due to a complaint of sexual harassment by a female officer and an internal investigation was conducted.

Glover’s lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, according to case filings, which means the judge’s decision is final and the former police chief cannot refile is claims in that court.

As of Thursday, Glover has not yet submitted a brief to the court of appeals explaining why his lawsuit should be revived.

Listen to an October 2021 interview with the former police chief about his firing HERE .

Take a look at Glover’s notice of appeal and the judge’s July ruling below .

Glover vs Lafayette notice of appeal by eenfinger on Scribd

Glover vs Lafayette memorandum ruling by eenfinger on Scribd

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