City of Miami Faces $1M Lawsuit from Police Commander Alleging Racism and Retaliation
Weslyne Lewis Francois, a veteran Miami police officer, is suing the City of Miami for $1 million, accusing the police department of systemic discrimination and retaliation. Francois, a Black woman with 18 years of service, alleges that Police Chief Manuel Morales orchestrated a series of targeted actions designed to undermine her career and credibility.
The allegations date back to 2020 when Francois was promoted to command Coconut Grove, a predominantly white, affluent area. Soon after her appointment, Morales allegedly criticized her natural hairstyle, calling it “too ethnic” and unprofessional. According to Francois, this was the first of many racially charged comments aimed at her.
Discrimination Claims
Francois asserts that Morales compared her hairstyle unfavorably to another Black officer’s straightened hair, implying her natural look was less suitable for her role. Despite her assurances that her appearance adhered to department policies, Francois claims the criticism escalated into targeted harassment.
“This wasn’t just about my hairstyle,” she said in her complaint. “It was about stripping Black women of their power and dignity.”
The lawsuit details that Francois became a target for public reprimands, unreasonable assignments, and unfair evaluations. During one incident, while she was on leave, Morales tasked her with organizing an honor guard detail on less than 24 hours’ notice. Though she completed the task successfully, her responsibilities were reassigned shortly afterward.
Hostile Work Environment
The retaliation allegedly extended beyond Morales. Francois says her direct supervisor, Major Um Set Ramos, harassed her by shadowing her at events and soliciting negative feedback from others. The lawsuit also claims Ramos had a history of using racial slurs, contributing to a culture of systemic racism within the department.
Francois describes multiple instances of public humiliation, including being berated during an awards ceremony and subjected to back-to-back “performance improvement plans.” These evaluations, she says, were baseless and intended to demean her professionalism. At one point, an unlicensed behavioral analyst was brought in to assess her, further undermining her credibility.
Demotion and Legal Action
Despite her success in overcoming these challenges, Francois was demoted to lieutenant in late 2022. Attempts to resolve the matter internally, including appeals to City Manager Art Noriega in early 2023, went unanswered.
In her lawsuit, Francois accuses the City of Miami of fostering a discriminatory work environment and failing to uphold federal anti-discrimination laws. She is seeking damages and a jury trial, stating that her treatment reflects a larger pattern of inequity within the department.
City’s Response
City of Miami officials have denied the allegations. A spokesperson dismissed the claims as “baseless” and expressed confidence in the city’s ability to refute them in court. Chief Morales has not issued a public comment.
Francois hopes the lawsuit will bring attention to what she describes as a culture of systemic racism in the Miami Police Department and lead to meaningful accountability.
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