In 2010, 22-year veteran St. Louis police officer James Murphy and three white officers he supervised lost a lawsuit filed by two African-American officers after white officers hung a noose up in the office to intimidate black officers. Murphy, the supervising officer, refused to take it down, and said it was all in good fun. The lawsuit also stated that Murphy had a long history of discrimination in the department and regularly passed over more decorated and experienced black officers for promotions to advance the careers of inexperienced white officers.

None of the white officers involved were fired or even suspended for incident.

Certainly, when you now view the recent statement made by the black officers association in St. Louis regarding how Jeff Roorda and the white police officers association doesn't speak for them regarding the protest by the Rams or issues of police brutality in general, it all makes so much more sense when you understand the history of strife and racism in their department.

