No Asian police officers in Folsom after discrimination case

Two former Folsom Police Department officers, who alleged they experienced severe anti-Asian racism while on the force, received a combined $700,000 settlement from the city. 

Folsom is a city in California with nearly 20% of its residents who are Asian, according to U.S. Census data. 

After the two police officers’ departure, the 69-member department now has no Asian American representation, city spokesperson Christine Brainerd told The Sacramento Bee.

The Sacramento Bee reports that the city signed the settlements earlier this month. Former officer James Dorris received $550,000 from the city. Meanwhile, former officer Kimberly Lim-Watson’s settlement was $48,000 in addition to a $102,000 workers’ compensation claim settlement. 

Dorris filed a lawsuit against the city in April 2023, claiming that he endured racism during his 17 years at the department.

In the lawsuit, Dorris alleges supervisors would mock him with slurs and inappropriate accents, ABC10 reported. During one instance, a sergeant pretended to speak an Asian language when Dorris asked him a question. 

“Of particular concern was a posting on his locker portraying an Asian man appearing to (run) for his life while being shot in the head during the fall of Saigon during the nation’s Vietnam conflict from the 1960s and 1970s,” the lawsuit said. 

Lim-Watson filed her lawsuit in June 2024, alleging that during her 19 years on the force, officers and superiors played videos targeting the Asian community during briefings, reported ABC10. 

Lim-Watson also alleged she experienced physical harassment in her lawsuit.

In one instance, Sgt. Warner Herndon was dissatisfied with Lim-Watson’s position at the shooting range. In response, she kicked Lim-Watson’s feet, grabbed her ankles, and dragged her several feet across the dirt, The Sacramento Bee reported. Lim-Watson reported this instance to Human Resources, but the results were unfounded. 

According to The Sacramento Bee, three of the sergeants responsible for the alleged racist acts are still with the department. 

“Accountability and equity within the Police Department are priorities for Chief Green and City Manager Bryan Whitemyer, and they continue to ensure that these priorities are upheld as the Police Department moves forward,” Brainerd told The Sacramento Bee.

Last month, the city settled a lawsuit from former community service officer Laura Knudsen, who alleged she received bias for her Canadian nationality, according to The Sacramento Bee. In April, the city also settled another lawsuit from Emese Szijarto, a current city employee, who alleged frequent racism. 

“The City of Folsom has agreed to resolve these matters without admitting any liability or fault,” Brainerd told The Sacramento Bee. “We believe a settlement is the most responsible way to bring the issue to a close and avoid the expense and uncertainty of further litigation.”