A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe who worked for the police department in Rapid City, South Dakota, said he was subjected to racial discrimination.

Glenferd "Glen" Yellow Robe, 52, worked for the department for more than 20 years. He said he was fired in May 2007 for an alleged incident involving an Indian activist who was being questioned by police.

Yellow Robe also said police chief Steve Allender and former police chief Craig Tieszen made race-related comments about him and Native people. He said Tieszen, who is now a state senator, retaliated against his wife when she applied for a city liquor license transfer in 2006.

"From the beginning of Plaintiff Yellow Robe's employment with the RCPD in 1985, Plaintiff Yellow Robe was subjected to racial comments directed towards him, other Native Americans, and other racial minorities," a lawsuit filed in federal court states, The Rapid City Journal reported. "RCPD leadership sanctioned such attitudes."

Allender rejected the allegations and said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission declined to take action when Yellow Robe filed a complaint.

Get the Story:
Former police detective sues chiefs, city for racial discrimination (The Rapid City Journal 5/1)

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