A sitting Tacoma police leader is suing the city, alleging the department has systematically pushed Black officers out of its top ranks.

Assistant Police Chief Crystal Young-Haskins filed the lawsuit Saturday, July 25, in Pierce County Superior Court. The complaint alleges the Tacoma Police Department has a documented pattern of harassing and forcing out Black identfying employees in leadership positions, according to the court filing.

Young-Haskins remains on the job as assistant chief. Her lawsuit claims she was passed over for promotion after filing a complaint in fall 2024 against then-Deputy Chief Paul Junger.

A subsequent department investigation found what the court filing describes as a "pattern of disrespect" by Junger toward women, and Junger was fired in March 2025.

The suit also alleges that investigations preceding the resignations of at least two other former Black leaders at TPD were questionable, according to the Tacoma News Tribune, which first reported the lawsuit Monday, July 27.

Two lawsuits, one firing

Young-Haskins' case is the second active lawsuit against the City of Tacoma stemming from Junger's termination. Junger himself filed suit Thursday, July 2, alleging the city unlawfully fired him after he reported misconduct within the department.

Both cases are pending.

The two suits present competing narratives drawn from the same set of events: Young-Haskins' complaint says Junger's firing validated her discrimination claim; Junger's suit says the firing was itself retaliation for reporting misconduct.

Who's in charge

The department is led by Interim Chief Patti Jackson, a 35-year law enforcement veteran who previously oversaw Corrections and Patrol Operations at TPD, according to the city's website.

Deputy Chief Ryan Lane and Assistant Chief Christopher Karl round out the current command staff.

Mayor Anders Ibsen and City Manager Hyun Kim, who was appointed Wednesday, April 1, have not publicly commented on the Young-Haskins lawsuit. Junger and his attorney have not publicly responded to Young-Haskins' claims.

What's next

No hearing date or city response deadline has been publicly announced. The City Council has not scheduled any public discussion of the lawsuit.

Residents can monitor the case through the Pierce County Superior Court online docket at linxonline.co.pierce.wa.us.