Settlement Finalized in Federal Discrimination Lawsuit Filed by Retired Dallas Police Sergeant

Retired Sergeant James Burgess settled a federal lawsuit against the Dallas Police Department after being passed over for a promotion despite top rankings.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 11:48 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Charlotte Observer

Resolution of Federal Civil Rights Litigation

A year long legal battle between a retired high ranking police officer and the Town of Dallas has concluded with a federal settlement. James Burgess, a retired sergeant with the Dallas Police Department, filed a lawsuit last year alleging that systemic racial discrimination prevented his advancement within the agency. Court records indicate that the final certification of the settlement was submitted this past Friday, leading Burgess to officially withdraw his suit. While the specific financial terms remain confidential under the agreement, the settlement grants Burgess a full retirement package along with additional incentives.

Disparity in Qualifications and Experience

The core of the federal complaint centered on a promotion to the rank of captain. Burgess, who holds both an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree, argued that he was the most qualified candidate for the position. The suit detailed his extensive background, which included supervising internal affairs, narcotics investigations, and patrol rotations simultaneously. Furthermore, Burgess was the only officer in the department to have completed the FBI Hostage Negotiator Course. Despite these credentials, the department promoted a white officer who, according to the lawsuit, possessed approximately one third of the supervisory experience and lacked the advanced degrees held by Burgess.

Top Ranking on Assessment Board Ignored

According to the legal filings, Burgess did not merely meet the criteria for the captaincy but excelled during the formal evaluation process. The suit alleged that Burgess placed first on the captain assessment board, with all five independent assessors selecting him as the top choice. The department’s decision to bypass the top ranked candidate in favor of a less experienced individual served as the primary evidence for the claim of discriminatory practices. Burgess noted that the stress of the situation took a significant emotional and physical toll on him over several years.