Council Denies Officer’s Claim of Racial Firing

The Glendale City Council Tuesday rejected a $5-million claim filed by a police officer who was fired May 1 for his involvement in an off-duty fight with a hospital security guard in Hollywood.

Siegfried Dale Faucette, a seven-year member of the force, was one of three black Glendale officers who testified last year in a federal trial that found the Police Department racially biased. His attorney, Cecil W. Marr, called the firing overly harsh and said the dismissal may have been in retaliation for Faucette’s testimony.

Police officials have denied the accusation.

The officer allegedly punched a hospital security guard at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in a parking dispute Jan. 30. Faucette was seeking medical care for his infant daughter and parked in an emergency zone for ambulances, Marr said.

Faucette and his wife, Pamela, filed the claim against the city June 19, charging racial discrimination, emotional distress and invasion of privacy, Frank R. Manzano, Glendale city attorney, said. The claim was filed by Carl E. Douglas, another of Faucette’s attorneys.

Faucette is also appealing the dismissal before the Glendale Civil Service Commission. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled Sept. 3.