Mohammad Yusuf, a Chicago police officer, is suing the city to change his race on official records from “Caucasian” to “Egyptian and African American,” citing identity reasons.
The lawsuit claims the department allows gender changes but not race changes, impacting Yusuf’s career advancement.
“Despite Yusuf’s exemplary qualifications and the purported race-neutral policy of the Merit System, Yusuf has been repeatedly bypassed for promotion in favor of less qualified candidates, based on their race, specifically African American officers, some of whom had disciplinary issues and were not suitable for the responsibilities of a sergeant,” Yusuf stated in his complaint.
He alleges being passed over for promotions in favor of minority candidates and points to a promotion system favoring minorities.
Despite scoring well on exams, he claims he has been overlooked for promotions.
“The Racial Identity Policy Ban facially and intentionally discriminates against certain individuals based on personally identifiable characteristics like race,” the officer alleges.
The department’s refusal to change his race, even after providing a DNA test, is seen as discriminatory.
Yusuf argued the city is violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
