Ron Wilkins

rwilkins@jconline.com

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — It’s been a bad week for race relations at Purdue University.

Earlier in the week, white supremacy posters cropped up on campus, and by the end of the week, a Journal & Courier investigation uncovered that the university’s police department has been the target of a federal civil rights investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and now faces a discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit that accuses it of practices that violate the Civil Rights Act.

Ryan Pyle, who is white, is a former sergeant on the Purdue police force. He filed suit Monday in U.S. District Court accusing the university’s police department of terminating him because he spoke out about possible discrimination against an African-American Purdue officer, Michael Cochran, and because he was dating African-American Purdue officer, Tenecia Waddell.

Cochran left the department in March, and Pyle and Waddell were fired on June 2.

Reached for comment on Pyle’s lawsuit, the Purdue news service released a statement from the university’s legal department which states: “We have not yet been formally served, but our legal office is reviewing an advance copy of the complaint.

“Purdue denies Mr. Pyle’s claims, intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit and will make clear in doing so that his termination was fully justified and based on non-discriminatory reasons.”

The Journal & Courier’s call to Purdue Police Chief John Cox for comment about the lawsuit was not returned.

Purdue did not comment in June — or this week — on why it terminated Pyle and Waddell. But Pyle’s lawsuit states that he was investigated for violating Purdue’s policy forbidding relationships between officers. Pyle’s suit states that Purdue University Police Department has a history of overlooking breaches in this particular policy as long as neither officer is African American.

Purdue police’s internal investigation into Pyle, the department’s armorer, began only after he reported someone had tampered with Cochran’s firearm while it was in the department’s custody, according to the lawsuit’s allegations.

Purdue police supervisors and the department did not look into Pyle’s report of weapon tampering, but initiated an investigation into Pyle and Waddell’s off-duty relationship, according to the lawsuit.

Had it not been for reporting the tampering to Cochran’s weapon or his relationship with Waddell, he would still be employed at the Purdue University Police Department, the lawsuit alleges.

Pyle’s lawsuit asks for back pay and the value of his lost benefits. It asks for compensatory damages for emotional and psychological distress.

The lawsuit also asks the U.S. District Court of Northern District of Indiana to reinstate him to his position, rank and seniority.

Pyle’s lawsuit might be the first of three lawsuits alleging Purdue police practices that violate the Civil Rights Act.

Waddell filed a complaint with the EEOC, which has been investigated, said Jason Ramsland, who is the attorney for Waddell and Pyle. Cochran’s wife, Jane Cochran, confirmed Friday that he also filed a complaint against the university’s police department with the EEOC.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission forwarded Waddell’s complaint to the Department of Justice where it awaits a review.

Asked about the status of Waddell’s complaint, Ramsland wrote, “Before she can file suit, a “Right to Sue” letter must come from the Department of Justice. I’ve had no indication thus far that the DOJ will be taking any action, but procedurally, the charge comes from the DOJ when a public sector employer is involved.”

Jane Cochran did not comment on the status of her husband’s EEOC complaint.

J&C breaking news reporter Ron Wilkins can be reached at 765-420-5231; follow on Twitter @RonWilkins2.