Please sign this petition in order to contact Mayor Chuck Cahn in Cherry Hill, NJ and let him know it is unconscionable to set up and fire an officer because of her sexuality. Also ask him to do the right thing, that is to restore her ability to collect the pension she worked 19 years to build.

phone: 856-488-7878

email: MayorCahn@chtownship.com

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Background:

After Cherry Hill, NJ police officer Claudia Carr PO#303 came out as a lesbian at a police department work/social function she became a target of discrimination at the Cherry Hill Police Department (CHPD).

A stellar record of many years without any complaints or incidents came to an end and CHPD supervisors began a methodical vendetta of writing her up under questionable circumstances. Slowly but surely they conspired to build a paper trail to get rid of her. A retired Lieutenant has given a statement confirming there were three Captains in particular who directed the propagation of this discrimination.

Although people outside the department could see what was happening and tried to warn Claudia she did not believe them because she was devoted to the CHPD. On October 28, 2014 she was terminated but by then it was too late. Along with the loss of income came the loss of her pension even though she had contributed to the pension in every paycheck. Her whole future was turned upside down.

The Cherry Hill Police Department fought every time she applied for unemployment (5 times in all), which meant she had to hire an attorney to help her get approval for unemployment compensation. The last hearing was arranged with the Cherry Hill Police Department, the Unemployment Hearing officer, Claudia and her attorney. The CHPD didn’t show up, leaving Claudia to pay for her attorney and the hearing officer to finally approve her claim due to the disregard of the department.

In addition, Claudia also had to hire an attorney to represent her in the wrongful termination case and Law Against Discrimination case. The Police Benevolent Association (Claudia’s Union) paid the first $20,000, which is just a fraction of current legal expenditures. The entire process has ruined Claudia financially and emotionally.

After 19 years of service, Claudia is only trying to get what she has rightfully earned. Claudia loves the citizens of Cherry Hill whom she was honored to protect and serve for all these years. Many have written letters to the Chief and the Mayor commending her performance and professionalism.

At this point Cherry Hill Township refuses to even have a conversation with Claudia or her attorneys. The settlement we are seeking costs the Township of Cherry Hill, it's citizens and the CHPD $0.00. Can their bias really be this deep?

I am writing this letter to make people aware of what is going on in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Please sign this petition to let Mayor Chuck Cahn and the Township of Cherry Hill, NJ know that this discrimination will not be tolerated and to ask them to do what is fair, which is to have Claudia be retired in good standing and be able to collect the pension she is entitled to.