 Gaffney is specifically promoted over Gee as punishment from Deputy Commissioner Harris due to Gaffney's racist attitude, large frame, and Irish background that resembled Shea.Off the job, Gee claims that African American women have discriminated against him romantically on the basis of his appearance being "too black" (It is also noteworthy that Gee's African American supervisors are of a much lighter complexion than him and may hence practice similar discrimination).It is stated by his son Michael that Gee was one of the department's first Black Lieutenants and that the police department had a long history of hatred towards Baltimore's Black community.