Ron Wilkins

rwilkins@jconline.com

LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

Purdue University police treated Tenecia Waddell differently than its other officers because of her skin color, according to allegations in a civil discrimination lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court.

After the department wrongfully fired her in 2011, university police officers burned her uniform in effigy and shot up her bulletproof vest for sport in an effort to intimidate her, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday.

Waddell was terminated in 2011 after she failed to qualify with her sidearm. She claims in her lawsuit that her weapon had been tampered with and that she had not been properly trained, which led to the firing. Waddell fought the 2011 termination, accusing the university of discrimination and won reinstatement about three months after her termination, according to the lawsuit.

She also claims in the lawsuit that other African-American officers had their weapons tampered with, while non-black officers' weapons were not altered. She also states that she and other black officers endured harassing treatment by other officers and the department's administration.

Waddell, an African-American and former Purdue police officer, and former Purdue police Sgt. Ryan Pyle, who is white, were fired in June 2016.

Based on Pyle's lawsuit against the university filed in December, the reason for termination was because the two were dating, which violates the university's policy. However, Pyle's lawsuit states that the dating policy is often overlooked inside the department.

Responding to Pyle's lawsuit, Purdue denied Pyle's allegations and said it will show that Pyle's firing was justified.

In her lawsuit, Waddell says she was disparately disciplined compared to non-black officers.

As an example, Waddell says she was yelled at for minor errors and written notices of verbal discipline were put into her file, despite the department's normal procedures. In contrast, an officer who discharged a firearm inside the department, injuring an officer, did not receive any discipline, according to the lawsuit.

Jason Ramsland, Waddell and Pyle's attorney, said, "It is deeply troubling that Ms. Waddell was subjected to the racial discrimination, hostility and retaliation she faced as an African-American officer in the Purdue University Police Department, and we are committed to vindicating her rights.

"The sort of backward behavior and attitudes she encountered in the PUPD has no place in our society, and Ms. Waddell intends to hold the department accountable in the hope that others in the future are not subjected to the same."

Waddell's suit says that black officers were denied advancement. It alleges that when filling the position for police chief, the university loosened its qualifications so that current Police Chief John Cox might be considered for the position, ignoring a black candidate who was more qualified, according to the lawsuit.

As a black officer, Waddell was ordered to represent the department as it addressed issues with African-Americans in the community.

"In particular, Captain Baunach directed Ms. Waddell to go talk to 'those black girls on the basketball team' ... regarding a statement that 'those black girls on the basketball team' made about police," the lawsuit states.

Additionally, Waddell was ordered to address Purdue Social Justice Coalition protesters who demonstrated inside the university president's office, and she was asked if any of her black friends might be recruited to the department, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit asks for back pay and the value of her lost benefits. It seeks compensatory damage for emotional and psychological distress.

The lawsuit also asks the court to order her reinstated to her former position with her seniority and other benefits, as if she had not been fired. It also asks that Purdue pay her attorney's fees and be assessed all other damage necessary and proper.

The Journal & Courier attempted to contact a Purdue University spokesman and Cox for comments about the lawsuit and its allegations. Neither has replied.

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