L.A. Fire Department Accused of Racial Bias by Black, Latino Firefighters Calling for Probe

Leaders of the two organizations representing Los Angeles' Black and Latino firefighters demanded an inquiry by the U.S. attorney's office looking into alleged racial bias within the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

A letter sent to acting U.S. Atty. Tracy Wilkison by Assistant Chief Patrick Butler-Hoyos, president of the Latino firefighters group Los Bomberos, alleged that the department's promotion of a white colleague facing workplace misconduct allegations served as a driver for the inquiry request.

An investigation published by the Los Angeles Times reported that a Chief Ralph Terrazas was informed Chief Deputy Fred Mathis appeared under the influence of alcohol or drugs while members of the department were battling a fire in Palisades. The letter by Butler-Hoyos alleges that the department offered this individual "special privileges" during the investigation process.

"Los Bomberos is troubled by recent allegations involving a high-ranking member of the Fire Chief's staff coupled with a hasty promotion and appointment of the Chief Deputy of Administrative Operations," Butler-Hoyos's letter writes. "We feel that the nature of these allegations, whether they are real or perceived, are becoming a pattern and practice of the Fire Chief's tenure and are barriers to building organizational trust."

Fire Inspector Gerald Durant, president of the Stentorians, the Black firefighters group, and Battalion Chief Kris Larson, president of L.A.'s Women in the Fire Service, were copied in the letter.

The Times reported that the complaint against Mathis was not filed until three days after the incident. Additionally, a "retroactive entry" in timekeeping records placed Mathis on sick leave during the day in which he was reported to be intoxicated while on duty.

The alleged preferential treatment toward Mathis is far from the only allegation of departmental racism that the department is facing.

The Times also reported that a white LAFD firefighter allegedly punched a Black detainee who was handcuffed on a gurney. The firefighter then allegedly proceeded to tie a towel around his head, leading the detainee to yell, "I can't breathe." The firefighter remained on duty for a year and half after the incident, the Times reported.

In contrast, the Times reported that a Black firefighter was "forced to resign" after being falsely accused of lying on a document where he reported attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, which he was required to take after being arrested for driving under the influence a number of years ago.

"The mere appearance of malfeasance and the notion of a double standard in offering high-ranking members of the Fire Chief's staff privileges to circumvent disciplinary processes is troubling to all firefighters," the statement reads. "This is not an isolated incident, in the past there have been other members of the Fire Chief's staff who have been given a 'pass' while those with less rank and influence are treated more harshly."

In response to the letter, Cheryl Getuiza, government affairs director/acting public information director & community liaison officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, provided the following statement to Newsweek:

"The LAFD strives to create an equal, balanced, and fair environment for all. At any time, a member may file a complaint and has several options and resources including the Professional Standards Division, any Chief Officer, the Department's EEO Coordinator, or the City's Personnel Department. All complaints are taken seriously, internally investigated, and referred to other appropriate agencies, as needed."

Update 4:16 p.m. 7/29/2021: This story has been updated to include a statement from the LAFD.