The Ohio Civil Rights Commission determined that a fire recruit who was fired last year was likely discriminated against by the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department, according to a letter the OCRC issued to the city.
Sierra Adebisi had passed all necessary tests to graduate, was issued a uniform, given a schedule, and assigned to a station when she was fired hours before she was scheduled to graduate in August, 2019.
Gretchen DeBacker, legislative director and spokesman for the city, said the Toledo Law Department had no comment because the case is ongoing.
TFD officials argued that Ms. Adebisi was terminated because she demonstrated an inability to follow rules, orders, and directives and that she did not take responsibility for her actions, lacked respect for authority, and her performance during the academy was unacceptable, according to OCRC records.
According to city records, Ms. Adebisi was written up, reprimanded, and repeatedly scolded for what instructors characterized as poor performances and a variety of rule-breaking behavior during her time at the academy.
Ms. Adebisi and other black recruits made numerous complaints of racial harassment and of receiving differential treatment compared to white recruits, who, according to OCRC records, often broke the same rules and disrupted classes but received little to no discipline.
“Witness information shows that other recruits made rookie mistakes, left their gear, and had carpool violations, however were not counseled and/or disciplined,” the records show.
Per witness statements given to the OCRC, Ms. Adebisi was made to feel like she could not ask questions, was yelled at separately, and singled out for her work performance. Another black female recruit told OCRC officials that she was also labeled insubordinate while questioning instructors while a white male recruit “went back-and-forth with a Caucasian instructor, became disruptive in class, and was not disciplined,” records show.
The OCRC ordered that the matter be scheduled for conciliation. If that is unsuccessful, a formal complaint will be issued.
During a news conference Wednesday outside One Government Center, Earl Murry, Ms. Adebisi's spokesman who has been a vocal critic of the Toledo fire department and its treatment of minority employees, accused Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and fire Chief Brian Byrd of allowing racial and sexual discrimination and called for them to resign. He also accused the mayor of promoting discrimination, including discrimination of African Americans.
Ms. DeBacker said the mayor has no intention of resigning.
“I am surprised that Dr. Murry has so little regard for Chief Brian Byrd, whose tireless work on behalf of Toledoans is beyond reproach. I appreciate all that Chief Byrd has done to promote diversity in the TFRD, even if Dr. Murry does not,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said in a prepared statement read on the phone by Ms. DeBacker.
A fire department spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Ms. Adebisi, who also attended the news conferences, said that she would accept a position in the fire department and that she wouldn't be forced out of the field.
“With this probable cause, I feel I can finally exhale, knowing that someone is listening,” she said.
First Published July 8, 2020, 2:50 p.m.
