Group charges discipline in fire department biased, uneven

Fights fireman’s censure

A legal group that advocates for equal employment rights has accused the Boston Fire Department of unfairly disciplining a black firefighter for allegedly troubling social media posts, while turning a blind eye to similar behavior by white firefighters.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice represents the Boston Society of Vulcans, an organization of black and Latino firefighters for which disciplined firefighter Octavius Rowe serves as vice president.

“While we take no position on the content of the social media activity, our concern is that the disciplinary rules are not being applied evenhandedly. Even a cursory investigation of other firefighters’ social media presence reveals a host of offensive posts,” attorney Sophia Hall wrote in her letter to Commissioner Joseph Finn.

“For example,” Hall continued, “we understand that White firefighters employed by BFD have created offensive posts that disparage national football players protesting against police brutality; encourage ‘erasing’ President Obama; and capture a firefighter wielding an automatic weapon while wearing a Trump cap; among other things.”

Hall said the committee urges the department “to immediately reinstate Mr. Rowe and remove any reference of this disparate discipline from his personnel record.”

She sent a copy of the letter to Mayor Martin J. Walsh.

Rowe, 45, was placed on administrative leave with pay Oct. 2 after social media commentary he allegedly posted was brought to the department’s attention.

“The images we were made aware of were very disturbing,” department spokesman Steve MacDonald said. He declined to elaborate.

MacDonald also declined to comment on Hall’s letter, having not yet seen it when contacted by the Herald yesterday.

City payroll records show Rowe earned $137,426 in 2016.