PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA says the abrupt retirement of Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel on Tuesday was completely his choice, and it comes as Nestel and SEPTA face a discrimination suit.
Transit Police officer Jon Randolph, who is Black, alleges in an EEOC complaint that SEPTA and Nestel violated his civil rights.
Randolph’s suit says Nestel failed to take “immediate remedial action” to address a supervisor who harassed the Muslim officer, using a racial slur.
SEPTA Director of Media Relations Andrew Busch would not comment on whether the complaint was a factor in the chief’s departure, saying Nestel’s retirement was the chief’s decision. He was in charge of SEPTA Transit Police since 2012.
A settlement conference involving the EEOC complaint has been scheduled for August.
Related
Transit police union chief says "fresh voice" needed after members experienced "atmosphere of fear and retaliation" under Nestel
Nestel’s exit was a surprise to Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge No. 109 President Omari Bervine, who described the union’s relationship with the chief as “acrimonious” and wants a better working relationship with management.
“We filed a vote-of-no-confidence letter. We submitted that to [SEPTA] General Manager Leslie Richards,” said Bervine. They issued the letter in 2021 for what the union called an “atmosphere of fear and retaliation.”
“It was nearly unanimous that none of our officers believed that he was the guy to continue to lead this department in the right direction anymore,” Bervine added.
Related
Bervine said he believed his members would have a “fresh platform” with acting SEPTA Police Chief Charles Lawson, who rose through the ranks of the department during his 28-year career.
“You have a fresh voice. You know, somebody that’s respected within the department,” said Bervine.
He had said in May that the SEPTA Transit Police was enduring a “staffing crisis” with a shortage of about 50 officers, with low pay as a major reason. The department responded by raising starting salaries for officers by 25% and increasing pay raise percentages for veteran officers.
Lawson, 49, will lead the 212-member police force while a national search for a permanent chief takes place.
Related
For more from KYW Newsradio:
- Download the Audacy App
- Listen live
- Listen on your smart speaker