Marion Police Faces Civil Rights Lawsuit

MARION, Ark. - The U.S. Department of Justice is looking into allegations about the city of Marion, Arkansas, filing a lawsuit against the city for alleged civil rights violations. At the center of the suit is former Marion Police officer Stacy Allen. According to the complaint Allen was passed up for a full time job with the city while white co-workers in the department received promotions. 
Inside the city of marion they have a motto, "Obedience to the law is liberty."

But according to the United States Department of Justice the city's police department violated the civil rights of former city police officer stacy allen.

Allen was employed as a part time patrol officer with the city of Marion from September 2005 to September 2007.

A 7-page complaint filed by the justice department, says it was during this time investigators say the city subjected Allen to discrimination on the basis of his race when he was not selected to be a full time officer with the marion police department.

According to the document, when a fulltime position is available, the city's police department will appoint the most senior part time officer.

The problem they say allen was the exception, Allen was passed up on 3 separate occasions for a full time job.

A representative from the Justice Department says, "Title 7 of the civil rights act prohibits discrimination and employment on the basis of race."

The investigation details 3 separate instances where white part time officers with less education were offered full time positions before allen.

April 4th 2006 Robert Williams was offered a full time position
On May 21st 2007 Scott Glass was assigned to a full time position.
And on July 23rd 2007 Jennifer Dorin was offered a full time position.
All three officers at the time of the promotion only had high school diplomas. Allen has a degree from Arkansas State University in criminal justice.

The justice department says it's committed to the vigorous defense of all federal civil rights laws under its jurisdiction.