Hampton police officer sues city

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A Hampton police officer is suing the City of Hampton, the city manager, the city attorney and former Police Chief Charles Jordan for $5 million.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Robert Self claims what happened during a traffic stop in 2009 led to his wrongful termination and is suing for breach of contract.

Document: Lawsuit

The driver Self had pulled over and Self got into a scuffle. The driver later sued the officer and an off-duty Newport News Sheriff's deputy who stepped in to help Self.

A jury dismissed the case. The City of Newport News paid attorney fees for their deputy in the case but Self's lawsuit claims the City of Hampton refused to pay for Self's.

The Virginia Police Benevolence Association paid for Self's attorney fees.

"It's very clear that I did what I was supposed to do," Self told WAVY.com Thursday. "It's very clear that the citizens of Hampton and the jury believed I did the things I was supposed to do."

Self claims the city damaged his reputation and opportunity for other employment.

"I was terminated at Christmas time, with a perfect background, never been in trouble for anything," Self said. "I was terminated because of racial profiling, basically."

Around the time of the traffic stop, the Coalition for Justice had accused the Hampton Police Division of 14 racial profiling cases, which Self said he did not commit when he made the stop. The coalition accused Self and the Newport News deputy of man-handling the driver.

"We know from the facts of the case that he did not deserve to be fired," Sean McGowan with the VPBA said.

City Manager Mary Bunting could be not reached for comment Thursday.

10 On Your Side also reached out to Jordan and City Attorney Cynthia Hudson, both named in the lawsuit, for comment. Neither knew about the lawsuit filed Wednesday and had no comment.