A lawsuit has been filed against the Metropolitan Council, alleging that former Metro Transit Police Chief Eddie Frizell engaged in racial discrimination against two high-ranking Black officers by demoting them under questionable circumstances. The lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, claims that former Captain and Chief of Staff Brooke Blakey and former Sergeant Sidney Jones were unfairly disciplined to appease skepticism from white employees and to further Frizell’s own career ambitions.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit follows a recent ruling by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which found that Metro Transit discriminated against Blakey. The complaint asserts that Frizell used his authority to unfairly target and discipline Blakey and Jones, allegedly to demonstrate to white officers that he could be “tough” on Black officers.
According to the lawsuit, Frizell aimed to position himself for a U.S. Marshal appointment and believed that punishing two Black officers would enhance his reputation among certain colleagues. Frizell later secured the role of U.S. Marshal for the District of Minnesota in May 2022.
The Alleged Gift Policy Violations
The dispute stems from an Internal Affairs investigation into allegations that Blakey and Jones’ children received laptops at a community event hosted by Seeds to Harvest, a nonprofit organization. The event provided backpacks with laptops to children who had participated in service activities.
Metro Transit has a policy banning employees from accepting gifts, and the internal investigation concluded that both officers had violated this policy. As a result:
- Blakey was demoted from Captain to Sergeant, and then to Officer.
- Jones was demoted from Sergeant to Officer.
The lawsuit, however, argues that:
- Neither officer used their position to obtain laptops.
- Their children were treated the same as all other children at the event.
- Seeds to Harvest leadership contacted Frizell to confirm the fairness of the laptop distribution but received no response.
The complaint asserts that the gift policy does not apply to community organizations and that neither Blakey nor Jones had previously been disciplined.
Claims of Discrimination
Blakey and Jones argue that they were singled out under Metro Transit’s gift policy, as no white officer has ever been disciplined under the same rules. The lawsuit alleges that:
- Metro Transit officers have accepted discounts from restaurants, car dealerships, and other businesses without consequence.
- The Metropolitan Council disciplined Blakey and Jones more harshly than any white employee for a first-time violation.
- The leadership team at the Met Council discussed Frizell’s successor before his promotion, and Blakey, as second in command, was a natural candidate.
The lawsuit further states that the disciplinary actions caused severe stress, anxiety, humiliation, and financial loss for both plaintiffs.
Legal Demands
Blakey and Jones are seeking:
- Monetary damages exceeding $50,000 for lost wages, lost benefits, and emotional distress.
- Removal of the disciplinary action from their records.
- Reinstatement to their former positions with back pay.
- A public apology from all involved parties.
What Happens Next?
The Metropolitan Council has 21 days to formally respond to the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the council has stated that the agency cannot comment on pending litigation.
While Blakey has moved on to become Director of Neighborhood Safety for the City of St. Paul, Jones remains employed as an officer with Metro Transit Police.
The lawsuit underscores broader concerns about racial equity in law enforcement and the potential misuse of internal disciplinary policies. If successful, the case could set a precedent for accountability in disciplinary actions within Metro Transit and beyond.