• 24
  • May
    2011

Two weeks ago, our blog highlighted a new study revealing that the Los Angeles Police Department is the one of the most litigious law enforcement agencies in the country. There was more evidence of this fact last week as a Los Angeles police sergeant triumphed in his employment discrimination case against the department.

The plaintiff-an openly gay man-accused his supervisor within the department of sexual orientation discrimination and harassment. According to the sergeant's retaliation lawsuit his supervisor made several inappropriate and belittling comments which played on the plaintiff's homosexuality and demoted him to a less-prestigious position in the department. Sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation are prohibited under California employment law as a violation of an employee's rights in the workplace.

The sergeant claims that he attempted to draw attention to this harassment for over half-a-year, including filing a written description of the situation and talking to other supervisors within the department. However, his written complaint was denied by the department's Professional Standards Bureau and his other efforts failed to get results.

Eventually, the sergeant was transferred to a less esteemed unit of the department. The plaintiff claimed in court that this employment decision was made in retaliation for his previous complaints. After his demotion, he decided to file charges.

Last week, a Los Angeles jury found in favor of the sergeant's retaliation suit and awarded him $1.1 million dollars in damages. In light of this and other recent employment discrimination cases within the Los Angeles Police Department, officials have asserted their dedication to addressing the persistent problem through increased awareness training.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Gay LAPD officer wins $1-million judgment in retaliation case." 19 May 2011