FEMALE EL CAJON POLICE OFFICER FILES SUIT ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION

East County News Service

March 5, 2015 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Officer Christine Greer has filed a lawsuit against the department alleging discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation and disability.

She also filed suit against Sergeant Richard Gonsalves, who reportedly texted nude photos of his genitals to Greer and other female officers.

10 News reports that Greer claims she was passed over for a promotion to a detective position because she complained about advances by Gonsalves and cooperated in an internal affairs investigation of him..

Greer, who is gay, says Gonsalves invited her and her partner for a three-way sexual encounter

She also claims discrimination based on her sexual orientation and her gender, noting that El Cajon Police Department has no women serving as sergeants or in management. She also contends that she was passed over for promotion in part due to disability from a back injury suffered when her patrol car was rear-ended, as well as a hand injury.

Prior to the lawsuit, Police Chief Jim Redman told 10 news that his department has “zero tolerance” for any harassment. He stated that actions taken in the Gonsalves case were based on the facts but that he could not go into details on a personnel matter.

Gonsalves was demoted following the internal affairs investigation, sources told 10 News.