Topeka police Capt. Jennifer Cross filed a lawsuit against the city of Topeka a month after her claims in an earlier lawsuit were dismissed.
Cross on Friday sued for retaliation and hostile work environment.
In the previous lawsuit against the city, Cross, Major Jana Kizzar and Capt. Colleen Stuart sued the city for gender discrimination. Cross’s claims, along with some claims of the other two women, were dismissed Aug. 14.
What are Topeka police Capt. Jennifer Cross’s claims?
Cross’s claim states a complaint was made against her by a subordinate, Lt. Kelly Connell, for bullying shortly after Cross had given Connell an improvement plan that was signed off by Cross’ superiors Maj. Russ Klumpp, deputy chief Jamie Haltom and then-police chief Bryan Wheeles.
Cross claimed the investigation about the complaint was poorly and grossly handled.
“The entirety of this investigation, including selection of witnesses, duration of the investigation, lack of communication, and inconsistent treatment of involved parties indicate that the investigation was retaliatory in nature and was conducted in a way to ensure a certain outcome of a finding against me,” the lawsuit stated.
Cross claimed the police department and city used the complaint as an opportunity to retaliate against her for filing a lawsuit against them.
Cross also argued the city and police department created a hostile work environment for her and other female officers. She said she many times heard male officers talk about which female officers they would have sex with, ranking them, which ones they thought were lesbians and which ones were “easy.”
She said in her 20-year-career on the Topeka police force, she has heard countless sexist comments, including the following:
- “People are watching you more because you are a woman, so don’t let it show.”
- “You have a resting bitch face.”
- “You don’t look like a cop. Y look like a librarian.”
- “Women in this field are either whores or lesbians so you have to work hard to avoid these titles.”
- “You do a great job for a girl in this profession.”
What damages is Cross claiming against the city of Topeka?
The first claim is for hostile work environment. Its damages include recovering all costs, expenses, expert witness fees and attorneys’ fees incurred in this matter; as well as other appropriate equitable relief; and damages associated with the emotional pain and suffering the city allegedly caused.
The second claim is the deprivation of rights and the damages included, punitive damages, which are costs the defendant would owe that are a punishment by nature.
The third claim for retaliation is compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are known as actual damages, which are equivalent to the loss the plaintiff received.
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