You go to the police for help when you are a victim of a crime. But what happens when you are a police officer, a victim of a crime, and the perpetrator is your superior on the force? That remains to be seen for Marsha Lessard, a former police officer out of Hyattsville, MD.

Lessard joined the force when she was just 21 years old, in 2005, but by 2009 she retired; “forced out” by her supervisors. In a recently filed a federal lawsuit against the city Lessard claims sex-based discrimination,  sexual harassment and retaliation for protected conduct. Lessard also contends that an attempted rape in 2007 was part of a rampant sexual harassment culture within the police department.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to harass a person based on their sex. Forbidden activity includes sexually charged comments and conduct. But it is not enough to claim an isolated incident unless it is severe. Harassment conduct by someone in a supervisory position is considered more egregious and can spell out liability for the employer. Additionally, state laws similarly prohibit harassment based on sex. Seek a sexual harassment lawyer in California for more information.

In Lessard’s case, she claims that in 2007, Sgt. Pat O’Hagan, the current president of the Hyattsville Fraternal Order of Police, invited her to a Fraternal Order of Police event in Louisville, KY. She alleges that during the event, O’Hagan pulled her into a men’s bathroom and made her touch his crotch. And later that evening, he went into her hotel room, climbed onto her bed and tried to rape her. A female friend of Lessard’s who had accompanied her on the trip had to fight him off. Lessard reported the happening to the hotel staff that same night and eventually to state FOP members on the following day.

Lessard also reported the incident to a Hyattsville police sergeant upon return from her trip. What was the result of her complaints? She was placed on O’Hagen’s squad by a supervisor who was aware of the incident, directly under O’Hagan’s command. Lessard’s continued harassment by O’Hagan and others on his squad resulted in her needing to take significant disability leave to cope with a post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the stress of her work environment. Eventually she was forced to retire.

Lessard’s complaint includes a retaliation claim. Under Title VII, it is unlawful for an employer to take an adverse employment action against an employee that is engaging in protected activities. Among the list of protected activities is reporting illegal actions. If Lessard is able to prove that she was forced to retire as a result of her complaints about the sexual harassment conduct of her supervisor and other police officers, she may have a successful claim.

Currently the Hyattsville Police are keeping quite mum about the allegations and are not responding to questions from the press. O’Hagan was requested not to comment during the suit but indicated that the truth would come out in court.

If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual harassment in the workplace, consult a sexual harassment lawyer in California for assistance.