Former NIU Police Chief Files Suit Over Firing
Former Northern Illinois University Police Chief Donald Grady has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging discrimination. He is asking for his job back, along with a year’s back pay and a public apology.
Grady was fired last February following allegations that he mishandled a sexual assault case. He is claiming that he was fired for no cause and “in a manner substantially more aggressive, onerous and injurious than for Caucasian employees charged with more serious misconduct…” reports the Northern Star.
The case came about as a result of former NIU officer Andrew Rifkin being charged with sexually assaulting a student. Witnesses testified that Rifkin and the student had a consensual relationship, which is against department policy. Although the statements were placed in Rifkin’s personnel file, they were never submitted by the department to the DeKalb County State’s Attorney.
Grady claims he was terminated due to the failure of his department to turn over evidence favorable to Rifkin. He compared his punishment to that of white NIU employees involved in a scrap metal scandal. Most of those employees have returned to work after facing allegations of wrong-doing.
Praised for his role in dealing with the 2008 NIU shootings, which left five students and a gunman dead, Grady led the police force from 2001-2013.
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