SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The City of Springfield will have to pay more than $500,000 to a Black Springfield Police Captain who says he was passed over for a promotion in favor of white candidates. Springfield police officer charged with sexually assaulting Somers high school student A Hampden Superior Court Jury ruled last week in favor of Captain Reginald Miller in his lawsuit against the city. Miller alleged that back in 2020, while he was still a lieutenant, he was passed over for a captain's position, despite being the next person on the list to receive the promotion. At the time, Miller was receiving chemotherapy treatment for the disease Amyloidosis. He further alleged he was retaliated against for reporting the improper use of a taser against a pregnant woman. Miller was later promoted to the rank of Captain. Springfield City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti told 22News the jury did not find that the city discriminated against Miller or failed to offer reasonable accommodations for him in the work place but they awarded the damages for retaliation. Buoniconti said the city disagrees with the jury verdict and they will be filing an appeal next week. Local News Headlines Students in New England compete in robotics championship at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield New Gray House director focuses on community engagement and funding State House Spotlight: Community advocates and addressing federal issues New tariffs expected to have pros and cons in western Massachusetts WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less