The Rapid City Police Department, City of Rapid City, Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender and former Chief Craig Tieszen have filed a written response denying allegations of civil-rights violation and racial discrimination made by a former police detective.

Glen Yellow Robe, 52, filed the civil suit in U.S. District Court in April. He worked for the department as a detective, patrolman and license compliance officer for more than 20 years before he was terminated in May 2007.

Yellow Robe, who is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, claims he was subjected to racist comments throughout his employment and that department leadership sanctioned such attitudes. Yellow Robe worked under two police chiefs, Tieszen and Tom Hennies. Allender, who was his co-worker, became chief after Yellow Robe left the department.

In the response filed Monday, the defendants denied making racist comments or having knowledge of racist comments made around Yellow Robe. In addition, the response states "at no time during Plaintiff's employment with the RCPD did Plaintiff ever verbally inform anyone of authority or notify anyone of authority in writing of any allegation of a racially hostile work environment" or of alleged racial hostility in the department.

The response also disputes Yellow Robe's version of the events that led to his termination. As license compliance officer, Yellow Robe's job duties included doing background checks on private security personnel and people applying for liquor licenses. According to court documents, he was ultimately terminated because of a conflict of interest after his wife, Geraldine, applied to the city for a liquor license transfer in 2006 and was approved.

In Yellow Robe's complaint, he claimed that then-chief Tieszen knew about his wife's business venture but expressed no concerns until after Geraldine Yellow Robe had obtained financing for the project.

But in the response filed Monday, defendants said Yellow Robe had not explained his wife's plans in any detail. The response also states Yellow Robe was made aware of the fact that he would lose his job if his wife held an off-sale liquor license.

Yellow Robe's suit also charges age discrimination, retaliation for protected activity, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He is requesting back pay, anticipated earnings and lost employment and retirement benefits, along with damages for emotional distress, punitive damages and "equitable relief."

The defendants have asked that the complaint be dismissed and that their costs be reimbursed by Yellow Robe.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier has ordered the two parties to meet by Aug. 7 and attempt to settle the case. She also directed Yellow Robe to make a written settlement demand.

Contact Heidi Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com