$1.29M For Fired Deputy Chief Who Sued Socal City Of Burbank

A jury has awarded more than $1 million to a former deputy police chief who sued the city of Burbank, Calif. claiming he was fired for speaking out against racial discrimination within the police department.

The Los Angeles jury awarded $1.29 million to William “Bill” Taylor on Monday for lost wages and pension payments dating back to June, 2010.

Burbank officials said in a statement that they are disappointed with the verdict, and said they have maintained from the beginning that they have acted in the best interests of the police department and the city.

Taylor sued the city in 2009, complaining of the discriminatory firing of minority officers during probationary periods. He was demoted from deputy chief to captain and eventually fired.