• 02
  • September
    2011

A 35-year-old police officer in California, who worked from 1997 to 2001 as a professional cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, has filed a sexual harassment suit against the city.

The federal civil-rights lawsuit alleges that the police officer was subjected to unwelcome jokes and comments about her appearance that were made by fellow officers at the Vacaville Police Department. The officer has been on an unpaid leave of absence since 2009. She joined the Vacaville police force in 2004.

The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, further describes specific instances of harassment, including a sergeant asking for a display of hands during a shift change for those who would like to see the female officer without her clothes. Another officer was reported to have made comments in front of other officers about the size of the woman's breasts.

Her lawsuit also says she was accused of fraud in a workers' compensation case after being injured during a class in defensive tactics. Upon being returned to full duty, she told superiors she was still injured, but she was denied a return to light duty or medical retirement.

The officer also listed an incident in which a supervisor requested that she not work out in the gym at the police department because she would draw attention to her appearance. Altered photos of the officer in a Raiderette uniform were posted in the department displaying vulgar and derogatory comments.

The officer observed that people seemed to believe it was okay to treat her that way and says that no one should be subjected to such harassment.

A spokesperson for the city of Vacaville described the complaint as being without merit and that the city would vigorously litigate against it.

Source: SFGate, "Ex-Raiderette, now officer, files harassment suit," Henry K. Lee, Aug. 19, 2011