Harvard College has been slapped with one more lawsuit.
Whereas many current fits have revolved round the campus local weather amid the Israel-Hamas battle, this lawsuit is from a longtime Boston cop who claims he was discriminated in opposition to whereas he was with the Cambridge college’s police power.
Cohasset man Robert Harrington, 70, has filed a federal age discrimination lawsuit in opposition to Harvard College, the chief of the Harvard College Police Division, and an HR rep on the faculty.
The retired cop is searching for lots of of 1000’s in damages from the college after the police division failed to advertise him, allegedly because of his age, he claims.
“We allege that Mr. Harrington was not promoted to captain from lieutenant because of his age,” his lawyer Sarah Burger, of Burger Legislation Group PLLC, informed the Herald.
“Given his qualifications including his well-rounded lengthy career in law enforcement, there is no other explanation,” Burger added. “We remain hopeful that we can achieve an amicable resolution of this matter.”
A Harvard spokesperson declined to touch upon the pending litigation.
After greater than 30 years with Boston Police and attaining the rank of superintendent, Harrington in 2013 was employed by the Harvard police power and was appointed lieutenant.
Then in 2018, he was assigned to the Felony Investigation Division supervising detectives. A yr later, Harrington was additionally assigned to oversee the Dignitary Safety Unit.
“Throughout his tenure with HUPD, Lieutenant Harrington has consistently received praise for his work performance, and salary bonuses more than the standard bonus plan amounts,” the lawsuit reads.
In 2021, the Harvard police power acquired a brand new police chief, Victor Clay.
Harrington met with Clay one time. Then, Clay reportedly canceled a gathering with the workers of the Felony Investigative Unit.
“Lieutenant Harrington began to notice and experience negative treatment from Chief Clay,” the go well with states.
Clay throughout a hall dialog informed Harrington that he was stripping the Dignitary Safety Unit from his command — with apparently no warning or clarification. Harrington had traveled a number of occasions with the college’s president on official journeys, however he was now not licensed for these safety tasks.
Then in November of 2021, Harrington was positioned on administrative depart so the division may examine his alleged involvement in a sick depart request by a subordinate officer. Harrington was out for just a few months, till Clay in March informed Harrington that he was cleared of any misconduct.
Whereas he was out on administrative depart, the police chief introduced that the division was being restructured — and that 4 new captain positions had been being created.
Harrington mentioned he met all of the expertise {qualifications}, so he utilized for a captain place.
In the meantime, Harvard HR contacted him as a witness about an age discrimination go well with from a former deputy chief in opposition to Clay. Harrington offered “truthful, candid responses,” the lawsuit reads.
“Harrington conveyed that he felt Chief Clay was isolating older members of the Senior Staff and was unwilling to communicate with them on issues affecting their responsibilities,” the go well with states.
Two days after Harrington returned from depart in March 2022, he interviewed for the captain position. A day later, Harrington was informed that he was not getting the place.
“Lieutenant Harrington was passed over in favor of the four younger, less qualified, less experienced candidates,” in keeping with the lawsuit.
“Harrington believes that in failing to promote him to Captain, Harvard and Chief Clay acted with discriminatory animus and bias against Harrington because of his age,” the go well with states.
Harrington additionally claimed that he was retaliated in opposition to for cooperating with the age discrimination go well with from the previous deputy chief.
“Harrington suffered and continues to suffer lost wages, lost benefits, harm to his reputation, emotional distress,” the lawsuit reads.
Again in 2006, Harrington was appointed to superintendent in BPD by Superintendent-in-Chief Albert Goslin.
“Robert Harrington is a seasoned professional and brings a wealth of investigative experience to his position,” Goslin mentioned on the time. “He has a proven track record as a leader and I am confident that as Superintendent, he will be a tremendous asset to the Boston Police Department and specifically Internal Investigations.”
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