The Aurora (Colorado) Police Department’s former chief Vanessa Wilson has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging her firing was discriminatory and retaliatory for implementing anti-racism reforms.
Wilson’s employment was terminated in April 2022, and her attorneys notified the city in November of her intent to sue. On Friday, her team submitted a 35-page complaint in the U.S. District Court for Colorado, detailing accusations that former City Manager Jim Twombly fired Wilson “because of her association with and advocacy on behalf of individuals of color, and in retaliation for, and in anticipation of, Chief Wilson engaging in protected activities.” The complaint alleges a violation of her civil rights and wrongful termination in violation of state public policy — conducting a legal obligation as part of her job, the Denver Post reports.
The lawsuit claims that Wilson’s firing was the result of pressure from conservative council members Danielle Jurinsky, Dustin Zvonek and Steve Sundberg, and police officers who didn’t like the changes she was making, including abiding by the Attorney General’s consent decree. The Aurora Police Department agreed to a court-monitored five-year plan to implement changes related to use of force and addressing bias within the agency after an investigation into the 2019 death of Elijah McClain.
Ryan Luby, a spokesperson for Aurora, said the city hasn’t yet reviewed the claims and can’t comment on the lawsuit.
