Attorney and veteran firefighter urge Bakersfield to honor jury verdict in race‑discrimination case

Nancy Doumanian, a trial attorney who represented Captain Quincy Sloan, told the council on Nov. 5 that a Kern County jury returned a $700,000 verdict in favor of Sloan after finding the city failed to prevent race discrimination.

"The jury heard every witness, every city employee who testified, reviewed every policy and weighed every fact," Doumanian said. She urged the council to "honor that verdict, pay the judgment, and bring much needed closure to Captain Sloan," saying an appeal would prolong the harm and divert taxpayer dollars.

Captain Quincy Sloan, who has served Bakersfield’s fire department for more than 30 years, addressed the council and described his career and the trial’s toll. "My recent civil case was not only about me; it revealed systematic issues that affect employee morale, recruitment, and public confidence in city leadership," Sloan said. He called on the council to demonstrate leadership, integrity and accountability.

Council members did not take an immediate action on the verdict or an appeal during the Nov. 5 meeting. Public comment was recorded for the meeting record; any city response about settlement or appeal would be an administrative decision or appear on a future agenda.