Huntsville Dispatcher Sues City and Police Chief for Discrimination

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A Huntsville Police Department dispatcher named Morgan Sommerville has filed a lawsuit against the City of Huntsville and Police Chief Kirk Giles, alleging discrimination and retaliation. Sommerville claims he was told to remove a small eyebrow piercing while female colleagues were allowed to cover or wear theirs, and that he was disciplined and suspended without pay for violating the department's policy on piercings after opposing the discrimination of a coworker.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about workplace discrimination, particularly around appearance-based policies that may disproportionately impact certain employees. It also raises questions about retaliation against employees who speak up against unfair treatment in the workplace.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Sommerville has worked as a communications officer with HPD Dispatch since 2022, after previously serving as a dispatcher from 2002 to 2006 and then becoming a police officer. The lawsuit alleges that Sommerville was told to remove a 'small eyebrow piercing,' while women were allowed to cover or wear theirs. It also claims he was retaliated against for opposing the discrimination of a coworker. Sommerville was given an oral reprimand in July 2025 and then suspended without pay in September 2025 for violating the department's policy on piercings.

• Sommerville worked as a dispatcher from 2002 to 2006.
• Sommerville returned to HPD Dispatch as a communications officer in 2022.
• Sommerville received an oral reprimand in July 2025.
• Sommerville was suspended without pay in September 2025.

What’s next

Sommerville is requesting a jury trial in this case, and the judge will need to determine whether the alleged discrimination and retaliation violated any laws or workplace policies.