The only black member of the NYPD’s elite scuba unit claims he was “forced” into early retirement after being repeatedly harassed by his predominately white co-workers and bosses with racist and sexist remarks.
Oscar Smith, an avid Brooklyn-based surfer who describes himself as a “mixed-race African American,” slapped the city and five of his former supervisors with a $17 million federal lawsuit in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The filing alleges Smith was subjected to a “constant barrage of derogatory and ignorant comments” since joining the 30-person unit in 2006, including having a “chocolate cheese doodle” for private parts, being called “dumb but strong” because he was “descended from slaves” and being referred to as “gay” and ”transsexual.”
“Because Smith painted his toenails (a common trend for surfers) and is well groomed, his supervisors and co-workers accused him of being ‘gay’ and ‘transsexual’ and told him to start a porn site called “trannycop.com,” the suit says. “In addition to the offensive comments, Smith was repeatedly and regularly denied career-enhancing training, promotions and overtime.”
The suit doesn’t mention Smith’s sexual preference but he reportedly said he is not gay after filing a discrimination complaint earlier this year against the NYPD with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Smith retired in 2013 after 16 years on the job.
The city Law Department said it will review the matter.