PITTSBURGH - A move from California to Beaver County didn't turn out like he wanted, says a Black cop who alleges in a new lawsuit that he was subjected to racial slurs.
A lawsuit was filed Jan. 8 against Beaver Co. by Titus Shields, a former corrections officer at the Beaver Co. Jail, alleging racial discrimination and violation of whistleblower laws. Shields claims that he faced blatant racial discrimination, including derogatory slurs and vandalism of his vehicle with racist symbols.
He also alleges that he was told he belonged in an inmate uniform because of his race.
Shields further accuses Beaver Co. of tolerating racial discrimination against black inmates, including unfair beatings and revocation of privileges. According to the lawsuit, when Shields reported these incidents, he was dismissed and fired shortly after.
The case is being tried in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and seeks wage loss, compensatory and punitive damages, costs, attorneys’ fees, pre and post-judgment interest from Beaver Co.
Rachel McElroy of McElroy Law Firm represents Shields.