A 17-year veteran of the Geneva Police Department (GPD) has filed a complaint against the department and the City of Geneva, claiming he was discriminated against for his struggle with depression.
Patrick Nolin filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights in late September of 2021. A telephone conference concerning the complaint, which occurred in late January 2022, was attended by Nolin, Chief Mike Passalacqua, and a human rights specialist with the state division’s Rochester office.
Following an investigation, the division determined that “probable cause exists to believe that the respondent has engaged in or is engaging in the unlawful discriminatory practice complained of,” said regional director Julia Day in a recent statement, according to Finger Lakes Times.
Day said a public hearing concerning the matter is recommended.
The GPD has disputed claims brought forward by Nolin, including a statement that there is “no indication” an employment application for a local pizza shop found in Nolin’s mailbox was a discriminatory act.
Nolin’s complaint also refers to an incident in April 2020, where he said he found a printed image of the character Sadness from the movie “Inside Out” on the bulletin board at his desk. He said the instance “outed” him as having major depressive disorder. The GPD said it is unknown who placed the photo or their intent in doing so.
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