Brookline Cops Alleging Racial Bias Denied Paid Leave

BROOKLINE, MA - Brookline will not grant two of its officers paid leave while their allegations of racial bias and hostile working conditions in the police department are investigated.

Prentice Pilot and Estifanos Zerai-Misgun, both black, will not be compensated for their time off while their claims are investigated. The two officers have been on leave since going public with their allegations in December.

In a press release, Hillary Schwab, one of the attorneys representing the officers, called the decision "outrageous."

“Our clients have been the targets of workplace discrimination, and they face the threat of serious retaliation," Schwab said in the release. "There is absolutely no merit to Brookline’s claim that it cannot grant paid leave to these officers while their charges are being investigated."

According to the Boston Globe, the town has no precedent for granting paid leave in this situation. Under its personnel policies, paid leave is only administered if a disciplinary action against an individual is being considered.

Pilot and Zerai-Misgun filed a complaint with the state in February, pointing to at least six incidents of racial bias they claim were not thoroughly scrutinized. They had previously been participants in a federal lawsuit alongside six other Brookline employees, including firefigher Gerald Alston.

Meanwhile the town has offered alternative assignments for the officers to allow them to continue to work safely while the case is investigated. It has also suggested mediation with an agreed-upon mediator.