Sturdivant out as fire chief after civil rights lawsuit

Lansing’s top fire official is on his way out, mayoral spokesperson Scott Bean confirmed last week.

The city of Lansing will not renew its contract with Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant, which ends this month. The decision comes after a Nov. 20 civil rights lawsuit, filed on behalf of fire department employee Cecilia Major, named Sturdivant and the city as co-defendants.

The lawsuit alleges Sturdivant violated the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act by unfairly requiring Major to wear a bra at work and requiring two male employees to check on her.

On Thursday, two days after news of the lawsuit broke, the local firefighters’ union released a statement supporting Major.

The following day, Bean confirmed that Sturdivant’s contract, which ends Dec. 31, would not be renewed. Assistant Chief Carrie Edwards-Clemmons will be interim fire chief until a replacement can be found.

The lawsuit mentions Edwards-Clemmons, saying she failed to provide contact information for human resources representatives upon Major’s request, according to the Lansing State Journal.

That same day, IAFF Local 421 thanked advocates, saying that “Because of your voices and support, Brian Sturdivant is no longer in command of the Lansing Fire Department.”

The union also thanked Schor and congratulated Edwards-Clemmons on her role.

There have been several controversies involving the fire department this year. In June, IAFF Local 421 pulled its endorsement of Mayor Andy Schor over a dispute involving retired firefighters’ insurance premiums. In September, after Schor and retirees came to a solution, IAFF re-endorsed Schor.

Also in September, the city began investigating how local musician P. B. Yanna obtained permission to film a music video at a local fire station, the release of which came as a surprise to Schor. That investigation has since concluded, but Bean declined to tell the LSJ who approved the video.

Schor banned private filming on city property with an executive order on Sept. 30.

Sturdivant joined the department as fire chief in 2022. He was previously fire chief in Battle Creek and held similar or subordinate roles in several other states before coming to Lansing.

He had been on unexplained leave for 2 ½ months before returning in November.

By Leo V. Kaplan