A former North Chicago police officer has settled, obtaining a $475,000 payout in a case where he alleged religious and national origin discrimination by his department. Ramtin Sabet, who launched the suit, claimed he had been harassed due to his Muslim faith and Iranian background, according to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Sabet, an Iranian immigrant and a Muslim, joined the North Chicago Police Department in 2007. His experience became wrought with adversity, as he reportedly suffered from Islamophobic comments and insults from co-workers. These ranged from being called a "terrorist" to being asked if he "rode a goat to work," he filed in the lawsuit. Despite lodging several complaints and even one to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2016, — the alleged mistreatment did not cease, which eventually culminated in Sabet's dismissal in February 2017.
"This settlement represents not only a personal victory but a triumph for everyone who has faced discrimination at the workplace," Sabet stated, in praise for the conclusion of his arduous legal battle. He expressed gratitude to CAIR-Chicago for their unwavering support over the years and to "the Almighty Allah for giving me the strength and courage to persevere," as per the statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The details of the lawsuit, as discussed by the Chicago Tribune, paint a grim picture of the alleged ongoing harassment, which Sabet claimed included derogatory comments about his religion, culture, and food by his colleagues. Despite North Chicago Police Chief Richard Wilson's insistence that the city "embraces diversity," Sabet was reportedly discouraged from advancing in his career due to the prejudice he faced, being denied training opportunities that were allegedly part of a "deliberate effort" to impede his promotion.
Sabet's years-long ordeal saw him bringing attention to his plight through EEOC complaints, starting in 2012, and by openly discussing the discriminatory behavior he faced from supposed "brothers in blue," during interactions with both colleagues and the public. Sabet told the Chicago Tribune, how these interactions emboldened the harassment: "I'm placing handcuffs on somebody, and they keep making fun of (me) from the crime scene to the station as a result of my officers making harassing comments towards me." CAIR-Chicago's Executive Director Ahmed Rehab underscored the trust communities place in their police force, both to maintain safety and to exhibit moral integrity internally and externally. Sabet's journey highlights the pervasive challenges some officers face within the ranks and testifies to the longer road ahead for true inclusion and diversity.
As Sabet closes a painful chapter with this settlement, the North Chicago Police Department has yet to provide comment on the resolution.
