A female member of the New York Police Department has filed a sexual harassment suit against her supervisor alleging he made suggestive remarks about her body and touched her inappropriately. A subsequent psychiatric exam concluded the stress caused by the incidents drove the defendant to excessive use of alcohol.
The female officer alleges the sexual harassment began shortly after she joined the force as a rookie. She has cited several examples, including claims her precinct lieutenant had slid his hands up and down her back explaining he was checking to see she was wearing a bullet-proof vest, inviting her to his home when his wife was not present and making comments about her body, as well as inappropriate hugging when she returned from sick leave. The lieutenant had boasted openly that he was untouchable due to his close relationship with the department chief.
The charges of sexual discrimination have been filed in the Brooklyn Federal Court. Although her lieutenant has denied all charges of sexual misconduct, he was officially reprimanded, docked 10 vacation days and required to attend a department seminar on professional behavior in the workplace.
When the female officer complained to her superiors the situation at work was causing her undue stress and anxiety she was sent to a department psychiatrist. It was concluded she was using alcohol to deal with the hostile work environment, and was recommended for treatment. When she refused to attend rehabilitation, she was suspended for a month. The department has scheduled a hearing to investigate why she disobeyed that order.
Legal advisors for the defendant state that the officer has a positive employment record and was not only a victim of sexual misconduct, but also labeled an alcoholic and subjected to unfair disciplinary action.
If you believe you or a loved one is a victim of sexual harassment at the workplace, it is important that you consult with an attorney who can properly advise you of your rights based on laws pertaining to unwanted sexual advances on the job.
Source:
New York Daily News, “‘Terribly abused’ female police officer files sexual harassment lawsuit against lieutenant” John Marzulli, Jun. 17, 2013
