2 police officers file federal suit against Flint, mayor, chief

FLINT (WJRT) (WJRT) -- (08/15/07)--Two Flint police officers are fighting back after filing a federal lawsuit against the city of Flint, its mayor and police chief.

Veteran police sergeants Jim Hamilton and Draike Sparks say they are victims of discrimination and retaliation after Mayor Don Williamson ordered the chief to move them to lesser positions within the Flint Police Department.

At the center of the lawsuit is Williamson. The sergeants say they feel this is a strong case because he and his administration have a history of retaliation against their critics.

"I was appalled," Hamilton said. "It's a disservice to the citizens of Flint."

Hamilton was a senior arson investigator with the department. Sparks was a senior detective. Last December, both were transferred to patrol.

What they have in common is that both spoke out against Williamson's controversial Citizens Service Bureau.

"I never got a direct answer from them for the transfer," Sparks said. "I was on the list for the transfer. That has never happened in my 21 years with the city of Flint."

There is a list that shows the members of the Flint Police Department Williamson transferred, and coincidentally, they say they openly criticized the mayor for not following proper procedure when he appointed the Citizens Service Bureau -- four men and one woman they claim picked strictly on race and gender.

That was Dec. 8. Ten days later, both received notice they were being transferred to patrol -- a move Hamilton says has jeopardized arson investigations in a city with one of the highest rates in the country.

Hamilton claims his replacement can't keep up.

"I have 10 to 15 warrants to one that everyone else has got in that division," he said.

More than money, both Sparks and Hamilton say they want their jobs back and they want to send a strong message to the city.

"I hope they learn a lesson. You can't punish those who have legitimate criticism against administration. Two, it makes them realize (they must) follow the law just like everyone else when they fill positions," said Greg Gibbs.

But it's Flint's citizens who they say will ultimately suffer and bear the burden of another lawsuit.

"It's unfortunate it has come to this, but this appears to be a pattern with the city," Hamilton said.

Chief Gary Hagler was unavailable for comment. City Attorney Trachelle Young says at this point the mayor has nothing to say.

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