Two Black women in Washington, D.C. have filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police Department on allegations of retaliation for speaking out on misconduct and discrimination from white officers. 

The two former officers, Felicia Carson and Lisa Burton, accused the head of the Internal Affairs Division of forcing them out, saying preferential treatment was given to white officers. 

According to a report from CNN, Carson referred a white officer to the disciplinary board for a breach in police procedure she witnessed when he choked a young Black man in 2018 and lied about the reasons for the interaction. Carson also said she was fired to stop her from participating in the disciplinary proceeding. 

Related: Female DC Officers Speak Out After Filing Lawsuit Against Department

CNN goes on to add the lawsuit stated the disciplinary hearing was canceled, and the white officer was given a chance to negotiate a lesser punishment. 

The report turns to Burton’s claims in the suit, stating she was fired because she reported a white IAD officer for derogatory and racist comments of fellow Black IAD officers. She was then stripped of her duties, her vehicle, and was denied access to job opportunities and further training in the department. 

The lawsuit points out that during this timeframe there were 13 Black IAD agents, and nine were Black women. Three years later, there are only two, with one having recently transferred into the department. 

This is the third in the series of suits in the past four months against Metro PD, raising questions of whether or not this is part of a larger discussion of law enforcement misconduct and intimidation. 

The second lawsuit, CNN reports, involves three Black women cadets who were terminated for participating in an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct from their supervisor. 

Related: Group of Current and Former Black Women Cops Sue DC Police

“The second case really highlights how from a very early stage of their career, cadets are taught to keep their mouth shut about misconduct and bad behavior and that those who speak up will be drummed out and those that keep their mouth shut will get through just fine,” said Keith, an attorney for the plaintiffs. 

The three cadets, Alice McIntosh, Anari Miller and Remani Wideman, are seeking compensation of damages of severe mental anguish, damage to reputation, and lost wages. 

The lawsuit also requests all cadets and officers terminated in retaliation be fully re-instated and allowed to pursue opportunities within the department if interested.  

The report goes on to detail a different suit including 10 other Black women who alleged a culture of intimidation, sexual and racial discrimination. They request compensation and relief that remedies the MPD’s culture. 

There have been no comments made from DC mayor Muriel Bowser, nor the city council on these issues. Keith speaks out against corruption and that it’s an “absolute application of the responsibilities” for city officials.