Black Fireman Who Filed Race Suit Promoted

Los Angeles County Fire Chief John Englund has ordered the promotion of a veteran black fire captain who filed suit in Los Angeles federal court, charging that he had been a victim of discrimination because of his race, it was learned Thursday.

The promotion of Capt. Hershel Clady to battalion chief will be effective July 15, according to Assistant Fire Chief David Hanson, head of administrative services. Clady was notified Wednesday, two days after he filed suit.

“I’m really looking forward to moving into a new job,” Clady said. “But the joy has been taken out of the promotion because of all I had to go through.”

Won Twice

During 17 years as a county firefighter, Clady took his battle for promotion to the county Civil Service Commission twice and won. He was promoted to captain 10 years ago when the commission found that he had been discriminated against.

Three weeks ago, the commission again acted on Clady’s behalf, finding that he had been a victim in an “inherently discriminatory” promotional system and ordering his promotion to the next available post as battalion chief.

When Fire Department officials delayed the promotion, Clady filed suit.

Clady sought promotion, back pay and compensatory and punitive damages. He said he did not know whether he will now drop the suit.