Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

The female officer was still a rookie when a lieutenant was transferred to her precinct in New York City.

It was then she alleges that the sexual harassment began.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers know that cases of inappropriate behavior toward female officers by their colleagues are not limited to the West Coast. Examples are found all over the country - though this is a particularly egregious one.

We also know that these lawsuits take courage to file. For most officers, especially females and especially newer officers, there is an extreme reticence to take this action. Even when they know what is happening is unacceptable, they don't want to be seen as weak or unable to handle it on their own.

However, when superior officers target them for consistent harassment, the effects are damaging not only psychologically and emotionally, but professionally as well. Refusing to submit to sexual demands or requests can result in negative consequences on the job. Those might include retaliatory actions such as reduced hours, undesirable assignments or intensified scrutiny.

Department leaders have historically taken the side of the superior officer, therefore casting the complainant as a "trouble maker" in an attempt to make her less credible.

All of this is why it's advisable for someone suffering from sexual harassment to consult with a lawyer before you even file a complaint with your employer. We are your advocates, and even if we don't get directly involved right away, we can advise you on the best steps to take to document the incidents and ensure they are appropriately documented and reported. That way, if swift, decisive action isn't taken, you have a stronger civil case to take to court.

In this case, the newly-transferred lieutenant reportedly wasted no time in targeting the victim. Soon after meeting her, he invited her to his home for dinner, mentioning that his wife would not be home. The rookie, who was also married, declined.

He made repeated comments about her body, which she tried to brush off. When she returned from taking a sick leave he grabbed her in an awkward embrace that lasted several beats too long.

Another time, he began massaging her shoulders, an action at which she said she instantly recoiled. He responded by chastising her about whether she liked white men (she is black).

He later made it a point to brag to her about how the chief was his "boy."

All of this would have more than constituted enough for a complaint. However, she didn't file a formal one with the agency until he reportedly ran his hand suggestively down her back. When she snapped at him to ask what he was doing, he responded he was checking to see if she was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

After that, the lieutenant ordered her to seek a psychological evaluation for "anxiety." The agency therapist said she was drinking excessively to deal with stress and ordered her to go to rehab. She refused, and was subsequently suspended for one month.

The lieutenant was later docked about a week's worth of vacation time for failing to maintain professional decorum in the workplace, but other than that, has remained in his position within the department.