Black Inglewood Police Officer Marcco Ware Files Lawsuit Against City, Accusing Racial Discrimination and Retaliation

By: Eye On Inglewood Staff Writer

www.eyeoninglewood.com

A Black police officer from Inglewood has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming racial discrimination.

The lawsuit contends that he was compelled to leave the police department due to his race and was offered alternative positions for which he lacked qualifications.

Marcco Ware's lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court also includes allegations of retaliation, inadequately addressing retaliation, and discrimination, as well as failing to provide necessary accommodations. He is seeking unspecified damages for lost wages and emotional suffering.

The lawsuit states, "Defendant has destroyed plaintiff’s career and livelihood in retaliation for his complaints."

A spokesperson for the city did not respond promptly to requests for comment.

Ware joined the police force in 2007 and was shot while on duty in March 2022 while serving in the K9 unit, as noted in the lawsuit.

Three months later, while he was still recovering from his injuries, the dog and vehicle associated with the K9 unit were taken from him and not returned upon his return to work, according to the suit.

After filing a grievance that the police chief rejected, Ware escalated the issue to human resources, asserting, “This discrimination is openly practiced and has gone unchecked for many years,” as stated in the lawsuit.

Ware also raised concerns regarding the chief’s personalized license plate, "GRNMSTA," which he interpreted as implying "grand master," a term sometimes associated with the Ku Klux Klan.

In his grievance, Ware wrote, “This license plate is a sad reminder members of the department and to myself of the inherent biases and disparities still prevalent within our system.”

Conversely, a lieutenant objected to Ware’s license plate, "FKCKIRK," warning that he could face potential termination if he did not cover it up or remove the vehicle. Ware contended that this plate was a tribute to his mother, a longtime admirer of Captain Kirk and "Star Trek."

Ware was placed on administrative leave in September 2023, which he believes was retaliatory in nature. The following month, he lodged a personnel complaint against the police chief.

Moreover, Ware was suspended for over a year without being informed of any allegations against him. Prior to his return, a city doctor claimed he could not come back due to "poor decision making," according to the lawsuit.

In what Ware describes as a false gesture to accommodate him, he was offered alternative roles such as associate engineer in the city water division, city attorney, and senior plan check engineer, despite his lack of qualifications in engineering or law, the lawsuit states.

As a result of losing his position as a police officer, Ware has experienced emotional distress and significant losses in earnings and other benefits, according to the lawsuit.