The city of Columbus, Georgia, has agreed to a $600,000 settlement in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by two white police officers against their former chief. The officers, Lt. Ralph Dowe and Lt. Tony Litle, alleged that former Chief Freddie Blackmon, who is Black, bypassed them for promotions due to their race.

The Columbus City Council voted unanimously to approve the settlement, with each officer and their legal team receiving $200,000. The lawsuit, filed in 2022, stemmed from promotions made after Blackmon became chief in 2020. Dowe and Litle claimed Blackmon altered promotion procedures, seemingly to favor Black candidates, and disregarded their high evaluations and seniority.

The lawsuit also challenged the city's affirmative action plan, which aimed to reflect the racial demographics of Columbus, as inherently discriminatory. Dowe, who heads the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter, played a role in Blackmon's eventual departure earlier this year, testifying before the City Council about a survey showing a lack of officer confidence in the chief. Blackmon received a $400,000 payout upon his retirement, after reportedly demanding $850,000 and threatening a racial discrimination lawsuit himself.

This settlement comes as Columbus grapples with fluctuating crime rates. The city experienced a record 70 homicides in 2021 but has seen a decline since then. The police department covers all of Muscogee County due to the consolidated city-county government structure.

The officers claimed that Blackmon, upon becoming chief, bypassed five white captains for open command positions. He then allegedly modified the rules to allow for the promotion of lieutenants, thereby creating a pool of candidates with a larger proportion of Black individuals. These changes invalidated a 2018 list of eligible candidates for captain, which included Dowe and Litle. Although both officers received high recommendations after retaking the required promotion test, they asserted that Blackmon prioritized promoting all eligible Black candidates and women, passing them over for individuals with less experience and poorer disciplinary records.

Mayor Skip Henderson confirmed that Dowe and Litle will continue to serve on the police force. He expressed hope that the settlement will allow the city to focus its resources on improving public safety. This statement contrasts with previous assertions from city officials that the discrimination claims were baseless.