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.

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