Willie R. Dixon, until recently the second-in-command of Hempstead Village’s police department, plans to retire on July 22 — the result, he says, of being stripped of his rank.
Dixon, who spent about 30 years on the force, was not reappointed as assistant police chief after his contract expired on May 31 and was downgraded to lieutenant. Village officials said they took action because of a district attorney probe into Dixon’s actions on the force.
Dixon said village officials were trying to retaliate against him for filing a discrimination lawsuit against them.
“I am retiring because I am being forced out,” said Dixon, who was the police department’s most senior black officer. “He hopes to get the damages that he is due for being subjected to a hostile work environment because of his race,” said Eric Sanders, Dixon’s lawyer, who said his client would seek at least $1 million.