Los Angeles, California – A former Los Angeles police K-9 handler has been awarded $11.5 million in a recent jury verdict. Mark Sauvao, a 30-year veteran of the LAPD, claimed that he faced retaliation and discrimination due to his Samoan ancestry. Sauvao alleged that he was unfairly punished after reporting his colleagues for name-calling and endured false rumors being spread about him.
During the trial, Sauvao stated that officers within the department referred to him using derogatory terms such as “cannibal” and “barefoot coconut tree-climber”. Additionally, one supervisor allegedly referred to him as Tongan, which Sauvao interpreted as an insult considering the historical tensions between Samoa and Tonga.
Sauvao also accused officers of spreading false rumors about him, claiming that they accused him of extorting fellow K-9 handlers by demanding their overtime hours. He asked for intervention from his commanding officer, Lt. Raymond Garvin, but no action was taken.
In further testimony during the trial, it was revealed that a colleague had relayed the overtime allegations against Sauvao during a roll call. Sauvao denied any involvement in a faction known as the “P.M.-Watch Mafia”. Lt. Raymond Garvin, who had previously filed his own lawsuit against the city, alleged that a department higher-up had conspired to remove him from the unit.
Sauvao spoke up about the mistreatment to Capt. Kathryn Meek, but instead of an investigation, internal affairs detectives conducted a search of his locker several months later. Sauvao believed this was a form of retaliation for his complaints. When he asked to contact a police union representative after the search, his request was denied.
As a result, Sauvao was ordered to undergo psychiatric testing and was eventually transferred to a less desirable assignment, leading to his separation from his police K-9 partner, Pistol.
The decision to award Sauvao $11.5 million is the latest in a series of successful cases involving the LAPD’s K-9 unit. Two previous cases from around 2008 resulted in jury awards of $3.6 million and $2.2 million. Sauvao’s attorney, Matthew McNicholas, suggests that ongoing issues within the unit indicate a lack of oversight by command.
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the LAPD declined to comment on the case. Sauvao’s claims mirror those of another K-9 handler, Alfredo Franco, who also sued the city for discrimination and retaliation.
According to depositions filed in the case, Sauvao’s former colleagues testified to his impeccable reputation and the respect he commanded within the national community of police K-9 trainers.
The jury’s decision sends a powerful message about the importance of addressing discrimination and retaliation within the police force. It highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability to ensure the fair treatment of officers regardless of their background or ethnicity.