Black Police Officer’s Race Bias Claim Against Baltimore Revived

Jan. 6, 2026, 6:40 PM UTC

A Black, female former police officer can proceed with a lawsuit alleging the city of Baltimore discriminated against her when it forced her resignation in lieu of termination following her testimony in a criminal case against a fellow officer.

Wanda Johnson adequately pleaded a Title VII race discrimination claim by presenting facts indicating she was member of a protected class, had a satisfactory performance record, suffered an adverse employment action, and that the city treated her differently than multiple white or non-Black employees who engaged in similar conduct, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit said Tuesday.

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