Unsealed lawsuit alleges pattern of sexual harassment by Vermillion police

Jonathan Ellis | Argus Leader

A veteran Vermillion police officer has accused the department of creating a hostile work environment by subjecting her to multiple instances of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Jessica Newman’s complaint against the city of Vermillion and Police Chief Matthew Betzen was unsealed by federal Judge Larry Piersol. Piersol had temporarily sealed the complaint when it was filed in September, but he rejected requests from Newman and Vermillion to permanently seal the record.

Newman and the city of Vermillion settled the lawsuit last month. The settlement has not been released.

“As you know, the complaint is only one part of the dialogue in resolving a matter,” Vermillion City Manager John Prescott said in an email to the Argus Leader. “Rather than engaging in lengthy litigation, we engaged in discussions with Ms. Newman and her attorney and have amicably resolved all issues with a settlement agreement that will be forthcoming. The city of Vermillion has been and is committed to providing a workplace free of unlawful discrimination.”

Betzen declined to comment beyond Prescott’s statement.

John Hughes, a lawyer for Newman, said in an email: “Patrol Officer Newman looks forward to faithfully and professionally protecting and serving the diverse community of the city of Vermillion for a long time to come, consistent with the department’s core values of fairness, integrity, respect, service and teamwork.”

More: Argus Leader asks judge to unseal complaint brought by Vermillion police officer

Newman was hired in 2013. During her time with the department, she earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, and certification as a crisis intervention officer and instructor, high threat engagement instructor, and a certified National Rifle Association handgun instructor.

From rejected promotions to sexist remarks

Despite those achievements, Newman was twice rejected for promotion. In one instance, she scored the highest in a written test on knowledge, skills and abilities, and she scored second highest in the physical test. In another, her letters of recommendation were intentionally not included in the hiring process, the lawsuit says.

Newman, who is the department’s only female officer, also contended that she was treated differently than her male counterparts. She did not get choice shifts, she lost overtime pay, her uniform allowance wasn’t the same, and she was assigned cleaning duties that male officers weren’t assigned.

Co-workers also made references to women “belong[ing] in the kitchen,” and policing being “a man’s work.” After she started working there, somebody in the department started baseless rumors that she was performing sexual favors for her supervisors.

“Rather than taking steps to investigate or even identify those male patrol officers who contrived and spread these salacious, malicious, and defamatory rumors, the department opened an investigation into the conduct of plaintiff herself, thereby greatly enhancing the personal and professional damage plaintiff suffered as a result of the rumors and gossip and ostensibly confirming them,” the lawsuit says.

After she complained to the city regarding the discrimination, she said she received a lower rating in her annual review.