July 27--WINDHAM -- A Windham police officer has filed a federal lawsuit against the town saying she was the victim of sexual discrimination and retaliation.
Danielle Nelson had filed a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission in 2010 about the behavior of another officer and the department's handling of it. The commission sided with her and the town and Nelson were going to attempt to reach a settlement, with the commission overseeing the talks.
It appears that was unsuccessful since Nelson filed a civil rights claim in U.S. District Court on Thursday against the town.
Nelson, who returned to work in Windham in the spring, repeatedly lodged complaints with superiors in 2009 about the behavior of a fellow officer, identified by her attorney as Mark Dougan. Nelson alleged repeated cases of unwelcome touching and sexually suggestive comments, as well as a department that ignored her and then turned on her when she complained.
Dougan was fired in October 2009, but even after the firing, Nelson reported that other members of the department shunned her.
Nelson says the stress of discrimination and retaliation affected her physical and emotional well-being. She said she suffered from depression and PTSD.
The lawsuit says the town knew or should have known it needed to take action against Dougan as early as March 2009 but did not take action until October, seven months later.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, attorney's fees and for the court to order the town to desist from retaliating.
Copyright 2012 - Portland Press Herald, Maine
