Former Kansas City homicide detective loses discrimination lawsuit

A Jackson County jury ruled Wednesday against a former Kansas City homicide detective who had argued that he was demoted to patrol officer because of racial discrimination.

Chad Rives, who is white, had sued three African-American police commanders and the Board of Police Commissioners after he purportedly received only “vague and untenable” reasons for his removal from the homicide unit.

Rives had argued in his suit, filed in 2011, that he was moved after voicing concerns about restructuring in the homicide unit.

Lawyers for the commanders and the board denied that the department had engaged in any illegal employment practices.

This story was originally published January 23, 2014 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Former Kansas City homicide detective loses discrimination lawsuit."