Posts Tagged ‘Police Officers’
Canterbury Police Department Investigated for Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Behavior
July 2nd, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
CANTERBURY – A Canterbury officer is being investigated following a complaint of sexual harassment.
Authorities say the incident is just one of 15 internal complaints filed over inappropriate sexual behavior of police officers this year.
Sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior complaints have abounded over the past few years in the Canterbury police department. In both 2009 and 2010 there were 12 complaints over inappropriate behavior and last year there were 17.
According to District Commander Gary Knowles, complaints have been treated “very seriously” and contends that complaints made this year were “low level.”
Knowles stated that he does not believe the number of complaints was high, given that Canterbury has 1000 police staff. He added that a recent workplace survey showed Canterbury police were the “most engaged” in the country.
“Any complaints brought to my attention, they will all receive a thorough investigation,” added Knowles.
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted sexual conduct. It can be include anything from a general lewd joke to a serious physical attack like rape. Regardless of the individual circumstances behind the incidents, it is important for all victims to realize that help is available for them to fight for their right to a safe and hostility-free workplace. If you or someone you know has been the target of sexual harassment, turn to a leading sexual harassment lawyer right away.
Sexual harassment lawyers work diligently to ensure the perpetrator is apprehended and held accountable for their behavior. They also make sure victims obtain compensation for their pain and suffering. Rest assured your rights will be upheld when you have a sexual harassment attorney on your side.
Contact a sexual harassment attorney today to file a claim and ensure that the harassment stops once and for all.
Three Massachusetts Police Officers Accused of Sexually Harassing Female Co-worker
May 23rd, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Hull, MA- Three Hull police officers are facing charges of sexually harassing a female officer along with allegations they misused federal grants.
The three high-ranking officers were named in a lawsuit filed by Officer Wendy Cope-Allen who alleges the men regularly harassed her through demeaning and sexually suggestive comments. The three men also told others that Cope-Allen was sexually promiscuous, which she denies.
Cope-Allen’s sexual harassment attorney is seeking $600,000 in punitive damages and legal fees from the town.
The officers deny any of Cope-Allen’s allegations and have stated they are prepared to aggressively defend themselves in court. Numerous employees in the Hull police department have come forward denying the harassment ever happened.
Cope-Allen recently added allegations to the lawsuit which accused the officers of misappropriating federal grants intended to curb domestic violence. According to the lawsuit, Cope-Allen’s salary was cut when she refused to help cover up the misuse of the funds.
When an employer threatens an employee for reporting any workplace abuses this is called retaliation. Federal laws are intended to protect people from the retaliatory actions of their employers.
Any employers, who fail to stop harassment or retaliation, can be subjected to lawsuits. An accomplished Massachusetts sexual harassment lawyer will make certain these employers adequately compensate the employees they failed to protect from a hostile work environment.
Workplace abuse is not only detrimental to the abused, but also to the business as a whole. Not stopping this behavior makes a business susceptible to litigation. In a hostile work environment employees are less productive. Employers should meet these issues head-on and stop the harassment, but if they don’t, a sexual harassment attorney will.
New Connecticut Initiative Seeks to Stop Racial Profiling and Discrimination
May 8th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Connecticut – A new law targeting racial profiling and discrimination has been proposed in Connecticut.
SB 364, also known as “An Act Concerning Traffic Stop Information,” was created just a few months after four East Haven police officers were arrested for allegedly targeting and harassing Hispanics in the state.
The bill ensures local and state law enforcement agencies adopt a “written policy that prohibits the stopping, detention or search of any person when such action is solely motivated by considerations of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation, and the action would constitute a violation of the civil rights of the person.”
In addition, the legislation requires what new reporting rules for police whenever they conduct traffic stop, as well sets up a system for citizen complaints
If the bill goes into effect, those pulled over after January 1, 2013 would get a copy of the police officer’s “standardized form,” which contains details about the incident. Those who feel they were the subject of discrimination or harassment due to race, color, gender, or sexual orientation can file a complaint.
Sexual harassment is a serious crime that can involve anything from a lewd sexual joke to a proposition for sex to an extreme physical attack. If you or someone you know has been victimized by a sexual perpetrator in Connecticut, speak to a sexual harassment lawyer right away for assistance. You as a victim have rights, and your paralegal will make sure they are upheld.
Sexual harassment attorneys in Connecticut make it their mission to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and that victims obtain compensation for their pain and suffering. Contact a skilled Connecticut sexual harassment lawyer right away to file a case and fight for your rights.
Woman accusing Anderson mayor of sexual harassment files federal lawsuit
July 29th, 2011
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
By: Tanya Gonzalez
ANDERSON, Indiana – The woman who has accused Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon of sexual harassment has filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday.
Teresa Spencer alleges that Ockomon made attempts to engage in sexual conduct with her in 2007 and when she did not submit to his advances, tried to have her fired from her position.
Spencer had been working for the city since 1993, working as Ockomon’s executive manager for some time.
In the lawsuit, Spencer claimed Ockomon made suggestive sexual comments about her attire and appearance. She also claims that he and several other city government officials were working together to have her fired after she refused the sexual advances. Spencer alleges that police officers were asked to “dig up dirt” on her that would lead her to lose her job.
Ockomon has been accused by Spencer of asking her to accompany him to an amusement park to “ride his rollercoaster” and to join him on a trip to Washington, D.C., claiming that he had a hotel room with a bed that was big enough for both of them.
Spencer also alleges that Ockomon instructed a city employee to hack into the city’s email system in order to delete a complaint message she had sent him after the hotel comment.
Ockomon asserts that the allegations are false.
“I have never, never engaged in any behavior with any person which could in anyway be remotely be construed as sexual harassment,” said Ockomon. “I’m fed up with the political, nonstop attacks.”
Spencer filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2009 but it was dismissed earlier this year. She said after the EEOC ruling that she was planning on filing a civil suit.
Sexual harassment can be anything from a comment at work that someone overhears and takes offense over to a serious sexual attack. Regardless of how mild or severe the incident, sexual harassment is not allowed at the workplace and victims have rights to seek legal help. If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, speak to a top sexual harassment attorney right away to fight for your rights.
No one should have to suffer in a hostile work environment, but the sad reality is that many sexual harassment victims do not step forward. Many victims are afraid that their complains will go unnoticed while others fear that their perpetrators will retaliate and possibly cause them to lose their jobs or worsen the behavior. Unfortunately, sexual harassment offenders rarely ever cease their behavior out of their own free will. Sexual harassment lawyers make it their mission to step in and ensure that the harasser is stopped and never causes harm to another person again. With the help of a sexual harassment lawyer, the behaviors will stop immediately and the perpetrator will be held accountable for their actions.
Don’t wait another moment if you or someone you know has been violated by sexual harassment. Speak to a leading team of sexual harassment attorneys immediately to file a claim.
Former Police Officer Accuses El Centro Police Department of Sexual Harassment
El Centro, CA - A lawsuit has been filed against El Centro Police Department over allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
The lawsuit was filed court by former female police officer, Rebeca Fajardo, on June 20th. She accuses several ECPD police officers of harassment as well as names the city’s human resources director.
According to court documents, Fajardo claims that “beginning her first day on duty…she was subjected to constant and pervasive sexual comments that made her job unbearable.”
“Miss Fajardo looks forward to proving the allegations in her complaint in federal court in San Diego,” said Andrew Ryan, a sexual harassment attorney for Fajardo.
Ryan added that officers would make comments to Fajardo, including “women shouldn’t be cops, this is a man’s world,” “women should be at home providing for the man” or “I will help you but what will you give me in return.”
Fajardo alleges the harassment eventually escalated to involve propositions for sex and was also asked out repeatedly on dates by supervisors.
She further claims that all her complaints were dismissed by supervisors, who later retaliated against her.
Sexual harassment includes any unwanted and unwelcomed comments or behaviors that are sexual in nature. If you or someone you know has been victimized by a sexual predator, you have a right to seek help immediately to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice. Turn to a leading sexual harassment lawyer right away to file a case and defend your rights.
Everyone is entitled to a workplace free of hostility and fear. If you have been subjected to unwanted sexual behavior or know someone who has, don’t hesitate to call a sexual harassment attorney near you today to discuss your options and file a claim.