LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A former Lincoln police officer has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that female officers have been harassed and discriminated against and police officials have done nothing to improve a toxic culture toward women.
Sarah Williams alleges several female officers have also reported being retaliated against if they complained, Gretna attorney Kelly Brandon wrote in the lawsuit.
Williams said Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister and other top police officials have known about the “pervasive discrimination” against female officers in the department and have done nothing to protect the officers or improve the work environment, The Lincoln Journal-Star reported.
Williams left the Lincoln department in March 2019 and now works for the Omaha Police Department.
Lincoln City Attorney Yohance Christie and Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird both declined to comment on the lawsuit.
In a statement, Bliemeister said, “we support an individual’s right to seek redress through the civil court process. The Lincoln Police Department does not tolerate discrimination and will continuously work toward creating an environment where our employees feel safe.”
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