Texas City cop says his termination was racially motivated

GALVESTON � Ismael Alcocer is suing the city of Texas City, claiming his termination from the police department was racially motivated.

Alcocer, who is of Hispanic descent, believes the city fired him because of his marriage to former Texas City Fire Department Captain Kelly Rotrock, an African American woman, a lawsuit filed March 11 in Galveston County District Court says.

The plaintiff was employed by the city as an officer from July 2002 to September 2009.

He explains that the alleged race-based harassment began in March 2008 when he and Rotrock made their relationship known, recalling instances of his colleagues and superiors berating his partner.

The original petition shows Alcocer's co-workers attempted to accuse the plaintiff of illegal dumping and pornography possession in an effort to get him fired.

He was eventually dismissed from the force on Sept. 11, 2009.

Consequently, Alcocer seeks at least $300,000 in monetary damages.

Attorney Anthony P. Griffin of Galveston is representing the complainant, and Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.

Case No. 11-cv-0453