Detective files federal discrimination suit against Bibb County Sheriff's Office

A Bibb County Sheriff's Office detective filed a federal lawsuit this week alleging his complaint of racial discrimination on the job wasn't handled appropriately.

Investigator Robert Shockley also alleges he suffered from retaliation after he filed the complaint and that witness statements were withheld during the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's investigation of the case, according to the suit filed in Macon Monday.

The suit names the sheriff's office, Macon-Bibb County, retired Chief Deputy Russell Nelson, retired Maj. Brady Fields, retired Capt. Jimmy Barbee, and Col. Henderson "Mike" Carswell who still is working at the sheriff's office.

County spokesman Chris Floore declined comment Tuesday, saying the county hasn't yet reviewed the lawsuit.

Shockley, who started work at the former Macon Police Department in 2001, additionally alleges the sheriff's office failed to respond to his complaint and doesn't have a system for registering such complaints, according to the court filing. Police and deputies merged into one department in 2013 after Macon and Bibb County consolidated governments.

Sheriff David Davis said his department does require employees to abide by anti-harassment and anti-racial discrimination policies. The Internal Affairs division accepts and investigates any complaints.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Shockley declined comment.

His suit cites seven dates of discrimination in 2014.

Shockley is seeking injunctive relief, attorney's fees, compensatory and punitive damages, according to the filing.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398 or find her on Twitter@awomackmacon.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Detective files federal discrimination suit against Bibb County Sheriff's Office ."