Folsom has agreed to pay approximately $700,000 to settle discrimination lawsuits filed by two former police officers. Following the settlements, the department no longer has any officers who identify as Asian American. The agreements conclude months of litigation and raise questions about the agency’s workplace culture and its ability to recruit and retain officers.
Settlement totals and city costs
The city’s cost to resolve the two most recent lawsuits totals about $700,000. Former officer James Dorris is scheduled to receive roughly $550,000, while Officer Kimberly Lim-Watson will receive about $48,000 from the settlement, in addition to approximately $102,000 from a prior workers’ compensation payout. Reporting notes that the city previously settled a related complaint for $250,000 and has spent around $860,000 on outside legal fees across four connected cases, according to The Sacramento Bee.
What the lawsuits allege
The complaints, filed in 2023 in Sacramento Superior Court, describe what the plaintiffs say was severe, pervasive, and continuous racial harassment. They include allegations of racist text messages, mocking of Asian accents, anti-Asian stickers on a locker, and claims of physical harassment. The suits name supervisors and other department personnel. The agency has said some allegations were previously investigated and described one of the filings as retaliatory, as per CBS Sacramento.
Who’s on the force now
City data show that the Folsom Police Department currently has 69 sworn officers, including 58 who identify as white, seven as Latino, and three as Black. No officers currently identify as Asian American, a detail noted as the lawsuits are resolved. The breakdown was reported by The Sacramento Bee.
City demographics and the recruitment gap
Asian residents make up nearly 20% of Folsom’s population, according to U.S. Census data, contrasting with the department’s current lack of Asian American officers. Civic and community leaders have raised questions about whether the department’s culture or hiring practices may be discouraging applicants from the city’s Asian community.
Legal fallout and next steps
By settling, the city avoided a lengthy discovery process and the additional cost and attention of a public trial. The agreements do not include any admission of liability, and other terms were not disclosed. The cases, filed in 2023 in Sacramento Superior Court, have prompted internal reviews and renewed public scrutiny. Earlier reporting notes that the city has characterized at least one of the suits as retaliatory.
What to watch next
Local leaders and advocates say the settlements raise questions about the department’s recruitment and retention practices and whether its personnel reflect the community it serves. Residents are watching for actions on hiring outreach and workplace accountability. City officials have stated that they take discrimination claims seriously and are reviewing department policies moving forward.
