Officer Mohammad Yusuf, a veteran of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) since 2004, has filed a $1 million civil rights lawsuit asserting that the department refuses to allow him to change his racial designation from “white” to a category he believes better reflects his identity. Yusuf, who is of Egyptian descent, claims he does not identify as Caucasian and seeks to update his personnel file to accurately represent his race as North African.

According to Yusuf’s attorney, Gianna Scatchell Basile, the lawsuit challenges the CPD’s policy on racial identity, which she argues contradicts contemporary understandings of race as a fluid social construct. Basile views this legal action as a pivotal moment reflecting the evolving nature of identity.

The lawsuit contends that the CPD’s refusal to update Yusuf’s racial designation has adversely affected his professional experiences within the department. Specifically, Yusuf claims he has been passed over for a promotion to sergeant due to the incorrect racial designation in his personnel records.

Yusuf’s struggle with racial classification dates back to his recruitment, where the limited options for racial identification did not include a suitable category for individuals of North African or Middle Eastern descent. Despite Yusuf’s attempts to seek guidance from superiors, he was advised to mark himself off as white.

In an effort to substantiate his racial identity, Yusuf underwent a genetic test, which confirmed his Egyptian heritage. However, the CPD continued to deny his request to change his racial designation, citing an unspecified departmental policy that allegedly deems such changes “not possible.”

The lawsuit draws attention to the broader issue of racial diversity within the CPD, highlighting past controversies surrounding promotional practices. While Yusuf’s case underscores the challenges faced by officers of diverse backgrounds, his legal team emphasizes the importance of equitable processes in achieving workplace diversity.

Yusuf’s lawsuit signals a broader societal conversation about the intersection of race, identity, and institutional practices. An initial status hearing for the case is scheduled for May 14 in Chicago federal court.