Black police sue over police Web site

PHILADELPHIA, July 18 (UPI) -- Black police officers have filed a lawsuit against the Philadelphia Police Department over a Web site they say is a sounding board for racist officers.

The suit said officers often "joke about the racially offensive commentary on the site" and mention it in front of black officers, creating "a racially hostile work environment."

A headline on Domelights.com describes the site as "The voice of the good guys."

Rochelle Bilal, head of the Guardian Civic Association, a black officers group that is the lead plaintiff, told the Philadelphia Daily News the site features disturbing content.

Bilal quoted one post she said was typical: "Guns Don't Kill People. Dangerous Minorities Do."

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges some white officers post on the site during work hours using city-owned computers.

The site, which has no formal ties with the Philadelphia Police Department or the city, was started in 2000.

Brian Mildenberg, a lawyer representing Guardian Civic Association, said the suit names the city and the police department as defendants, unidentified site users and "McQ," the moderator.

The suit seeks unspecified financial damages and to have the site taken down or to forbid officers to post during work.