A Black police officer in Bergen County claims in a lawsuit he was routinely passed over for promotions for decades while less-experienced white officers he trained rose through the ranks.
Wendell Simpson, 54, a sergeant in the Alpine Police Department, claims in court papers “an old boys network” has held him back from achieving the rank of lieutenant.
“Despite the excellent qualifications of Sergeant Simpson, the department repeatedly denied and excluded him for promotions” six times since 2006, according to the lawsuit filed March 27 in Superior Court of Bergen County.
The suit alleges Alpine Police Chief Matthew S. Kent — in a show of retaliation for Simpson’s discrimination complaints — refuses to talk to him “and just walks past him without even the baseline daily courtesies.”
Neither Kent nor Alpine officials responded Tuesday to requests to comment on the lawsuit.
According to the complaint, Simpson has been denied leadership training while white officers were granted instruction, along with paid time off to complete leadership programs.
“Simpson was the only non-white officer repeatedly overlooked for this benefit and advancement in employment,” the lawsuit alleges.
Simpson is the only Black sergeant, and there are no Black officers serving in the rank of lieutenant or higher in the Alpine Police Department, the lawsuit alleges.
“Everyone in a higher rank is less senior and was in fact trained by Sergeant Simpson,” the suit says.
The lawsuit alleges an “old boys network” made up of department heads and local politicians have conspired to alter the terms and conditions of Simpson’s employment by denying him promotions that white officers received.
The lawsuit says Simpson was only promoted to sergeant after he filed a lawsuit against the borough in 2017, claiming discrimination and disparate treatment. Court records show the suit was settled in September 2018.
Simpson’s current lawsuit alleges the borough has “failed to enforce and adhere to an effective anti-discrimination policy for its employees that prevents and protects against unlawful conduct in the nature of discrimination, retaliation, and other forms of discriminatory and tortious activity.”
The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination, disparate treatment based on race, along with other violations of state laws against discrimination. The suit seeks Simpson’s promotion, along with monetary damages.
Stories by Anthony G. Attrino
Editor’s note: This story was corrected to include on first reference the correct name of the police department.
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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.