A rookie female NYPD officer in her early 20s courageously came forward to report her sexual harassment by her superior. However, the police department didn’t take her side. In fact, they made her go through unfair means just to keep her job.

About Workplace Sexual Harassment

Quid pro quo harassment typically involves someone in a supervisor-type role. He or she asks or hints at sexual favors in exchange for any type of employment benefit. This could also mean in return for some type of sexual favor the employee would receive more pay, a higher-ranking job, or more seniority within the company.
This is the most common types people see in the media. While this type of harassment doesn’t necessarily have to be between a subordinate and a person of power, it usually is. It is any person with the power to entice a victim into fulfilling sexual demands. These are usually raises, benefits, special deals, recommendations, and certain shifts. Normally, the harasser threatens negative consequences if not fulfilled. These negative aspects can be a demotion, firing, bad shifts or bad performance reviews.

Police Sexual Harassment

Police sexual harassment is becoming more common for female officers. When these female officers seek help, the department tries to keep them silent. This is what happened to an NYPD officer after her sexual harassment by her superior. When she reported the harassment up the chain, she lost a month of pay and was forced to go into an alcohol treatment center in order to keep her job. This is even though she is not an alcoholic, and there are no complaints of her drinking. She ended up quitting the department. Her experiences are just another example of how hard it is for women to be believed when they allege sexual harassment at the workplace.
The female officer tried to do everything she could to stop the harassment. She complained to officers at her precinct and her union delegate, but they didn’t do anything. Then, she made an official complaint to the NYPD’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity in October 2011. Other woman corroborated her account. However, her colleagues started bullying her. It was so bad that she began having panic attacks. So, she was ordered to see the department psychologist. The psychologist said she needed to enter a three-month outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse or receive a 30-day suspension without pay.  The officer was adamant she did not have an alcohol problem and took the suspension.
These are just some of the ways a company or police department will protect their own instead of helping you, the victim. This is why it is important to seek the legal counsel of a complex litigation attorney who will have your best interest in mind.

Free Consultation

If you have experienced sexual harassment in any form in the workplace, you should contact a qualified employment attorney. You should do this right away since time is of the essence. If the harassment has not stopped after making a formal complaint with your employer, consulting a harassment lawyer is your best option. Your attorney will be able to provide further guidance, help you file a claim with the EEOC, and help you build a case that will put an end to what you have experienced.