OHIO CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
Governor Mike DeWine
Commissioners: Lori Barreras, Chair | J. Rita McNeil Danish | William Patmon, III | Charlie Winburn | Madhu Singh
Executive Director Angela Phelps-White
September 1, 2022 ***Mailed on Date: September 1, 2022
Carrie Hollyfield Lauren Credit Mai
1516 Athens Drive Senior Assistant Solicitor
Loveland OH 45140 City of Cincinnati, Police Department
801 Plum Street
Cincinnati OH 45202
LETTER OF DETERMINATION
Carrie Hollyfield v City of Cincinnati Police Department
DAY76(29996)11292021;22A-2021-00779F
FINDINGS OF FACT:
Charging Party filed a charge of discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission alleging
Respondent engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice. All jurisdictional requirements for filing a
charge have been met.
After receiving the charge, the Commission conducted an investigation into Charging Party’s allegation
against Respondent. During the investigation, the Commission considered relevant documents and
testimony. The information gathered does support a recommendation that Respondent unlawfully
discriminated against Charging Party.
Specifically, the Commission found that Charging Party was subjected to unwelcome racial remarks and
comments. Further, Respondent was aware of Charging Party’s treatment and failed to correct the
problems and failed to take prompt remedial action against all employees involved.
Charging Party began her employment as a Police Officer in October of 2016, working in the Youth
Services Unit as a School Resource Officer. Charging Party worked under the supervision of a black
female Lieutenant. Charging Party was the only Caucasian Officer assigned to the Unit of fifteen
employees. In late 2021, Charging Party was reassigned to the Personal Crime unit.
The investigation reveals that during the time period in which Charging Party was assigned to the Youth
Service Unit, Charging Party was subjected to a racially charged working environment and was repeatedly
subjected to racially derogatory remarks from the Lieutenant and other black employees. Some of the
offensive comments attributed to the Lieutenant are “the white m-----s F---ers on the second floor; “we
have all worked with white people we don’t like,” and referred to Charging Party as Ms. Affirmative
Action. Some black employees were told by other black employees to stay away from Charging Party. On
another occasion, a black coworker stated the other employees to “Please pull your black card out,
Charging Party is speaking. “
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
DAYTON REGIONAL OFFICE | Point West III 3055 Kettering Blvd., Suite 111 Dayton, OH 45439
PHONE: 937-285-6500 | TOLL FREE: 1-888-278-7101 | TTY: 614-752-2391 | FAX: 937-285-6606
www.crc.ohio.gov
Carrie Holyfield v City of Cincinnati Police Department
DAY76(29996)11292021; 22A-2021-00779F
Page 2
A Witness states that he heard many of the comments made about Charging Party and Caucasians, in
general. The Witness stated that Charging Party had every reason to be uncomfortable in the Unit and that
the working environment was hostile towards the Charging Party.
Charging Party complained of her treatment to management and agreed to be moved from the Unit, thus
making the Unit consist of all black employees.
It can be determined that Charging Party’s working environment was hostile toward her, and the
treatment was based on race.
DECISION:
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission determines it is PROBABLE that Respondent has engaged in an
unlawful discriminatory practice in violation of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112. Therefore, the
Commission hereby orders that this matter be scheduled for CONCILIATION.
In accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 4112.05(A) and Ohio Administrative Code § 4112-3-03(C), the
Commission invites you to participate in conciliation by informal methods of conference, conciliation and
persuasion. Enclosed is a draft of the proposed Conciliation Agreement and Consent Order for your
consideration. A conciliator has been assigned as and can be reached by telephone at 937-285-6500 or by
email at [email protected]. Please contact the Conciliator to discuss the conciliation process.
If the Commission’s attempts at conciliation are unsuccessful, a formal complaint will be issued, and the
case will be scheduled for a public hearing.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO REQUEST RECONSIDERATION:
Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code § 4112-3-04, you have the right to request reconsideration of the
Commission’s determination. The application must be in writing and state specifically the grounds upon
which it is based. You must submit the request for reconsideration, along with all additional evidence or
supporting documentation, within TEN (10) days of the date of mailing of this notice. This request must
be sent to the Compliance Department, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, 30 East Broad Street, 5th Floor,
Columbus, Ohio 43215. Any application for reconsideration received after the ten-day period has expired
will be deemed untimely. The Commission's Rules do not permit any employee of the Commission to
grant any extension to this ten-day filing period. If you wish to appear before the Commissioners to present
oral arguments in support or your request for reconsideration, you must specifically make a request to
appear in writing.
NOTICE OF RIGHT TO WITHDRAW ON A PROBABLE CAUSE DECISION:
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 4112.051, you are hereby notified you have a right to withdraw the charge
and file a civil action in any State of Ohio court that has jurisdiction over this matter. Ohio Revised Code
4112.052 and 4112.14 provides that such a civil action must be filed within two years after the date of the
alleged discriminatory practice. The time period to file a civil action is tolled during the pendency of the
OCRC investigation. You are advised to consult with an attorney to determine with accuracy the date by
which a civil action must be filed.
FOR FEDERAL COURT FILINGS: Notices of Right to Sue under federal law will be issued by the
EEOC.
Carrie Holyfield v City of Cincinnati Police Department
DAY76(29996)11292021; 22A-2021-00779F
Page 3
FOR THE COMMISSION,
Lori Taylor
Lori Taylor
Dayton Regional Supervisor
[email protected] Representative for Respondent: :
cc:
Carrie Holyfield v City of Cincinnati Police Department
DAY76(29996)11292021; 22A-2021-00779F
Page 4
RECOMMENDATION: Probable Cause – Schedule Conciliation
CODE: J-1
DOCUMENTS & TESTIMONY SUPPORTING THE COMMISSION’S DETERMINATION
ITEM ATTACHMENT
I. COMMISSION’S DOCUMENTS
Charge Affidavit I-A
Case Activity Log I-B
Corporation Check I-C
II. CHARGING PARTY’S DOCUMENTS
Charging Party’s Rebuttal II-A
III. RESPONDENT’S DOCUMENTS
Respondent’s Position Statement III-A
CERTIFICATIONS:
I certify that this case report, attachments, and processing time are complete, accurate, and in compliance
with the standards of the Commission. I certify that it is an accurate summary of the recommended
findings.
Phyllis J. Hollis, Dayton Regional Investigator Date
Date
Lori Taylor 8/29/22
Lori Taylor. Dayton Regional Director Date
