State trooper sues state police for racial discrimination after serving on governor’s security team.
Cpl. Joshua Mack, a veteran state trooper with over 19 years of service, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the Pennsylvania State Police, alleging racial discrimination as the impetus behind his removal from the prestigious governor’s security detail.
Mack, who is white, asserts that he was reassigned earlier this year due to a purported desire among his superiors to enhance minority representation within the elite team responsible for safeguarding Governor Josh Shapiro. According to the lawsuit, Mack has been a member of this specialized squad since 2011, making him the longest-serving officer in the detail at the time of his reassignment.
The lawsuit claims that Mack’s removal was not a result of any performance deficiencies, as confirmed by his supervisors, but rather a direct consequence of the State Police’s stated objective to diversify the security team. This development has reportedly resulted in significant professional and financial repercussions for Mack, including lost wages and diminished opportunities for overtime, which according to his attorney, could surpass ,000 annually. The suit cites emotional distress and a tarnished professional reputation as additional damages stemming from his reassignment.
Mack joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 2004 and has provided protection for four separate governors throughout his career. He argues that while the responsibilities of guarding the governor traditionally come with comprehensive training in dignitary protection, enhanced earnings through overtime, and the use of state vehicles, his recent reallocation has curtailed these opportunities.
The specific changes to Mack’s role occurred on March 25, when he was informed of his reassignment under the guise of “administrative changes,” which he contends were racially motivated. Following his removal, he claims he was replaced by two non-white troopers lacking dignitary protection experience, further fueling his claims of discrimination within the department.
As part of the legal process, Mack first lodged an administrative discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a prerequisite to filing for federal action. The Pennsylvania State Police have declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, invoking standard policies regarding personnel matters. Governor Shapiro’s office has also refrained from public commentary on the issue, which continues to attract attention both within law enforcement agencies and the broader community.
Mack is seeking a jury trial to address his claims for compensation resulting from lost wages and benefits, alongside recognition and redress for the personal effects of his reassignment. Media News Source.
