FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CR THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1995 (202) 616-2765 TDD (202) 514-1888 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUES CITY OF ORMOND BEACH IN SEX DISCRIMINATION CASE WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Justice Department today sued a Florida police department for allegedly subjecting female employees to sexual harassment, retaliating against those who complained, and not taking appropriate steps to end the unlawful treatment. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Orlando, stemmed from information provided to the Justice Department by female employees of the Ormond Beach Police Department, including two police officers who complained that they were subjected to sexual harassment and retaliation. "We are committed to ensuring that the American workplace is free of discrimination and that all individuals are given the opportunity to work in a respectful environment," said Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval L. Patrick. "When a public employer allows the sexual harassment of its employees or fails to act appropriately to end the harassment, we will step in." The females' complaints included allegations that members of the police department made sexually explicit comments and unwanted sexual advances toward them. In one case, two sexually explicit drawings of a female officer were allegedly displayed in a common area and were not removed until they had been viewed by most members of the office. Today's complaint also alleged that female employees who complained about harassment were verbally abused and ostracized in retaliation by other employees of the police department. One female officer alleged that other male officers refused to provide necessary back-up during the course of her duties, placing her in potentially dangerous situations. The Department's complaint seeks a court order preventing the city from engaging in future discriminatory employment practices and stopping it from retaliating against employees who allege discrimination. It also seeks monetary compensation for those who were victims of discriminatory practices by the city. # # # 95-229