NJ Town’s Only Policewoman Was Sexually Harassed By Co-Workers, Suit Says

WARREN COUNTY, NJ — A Warren County town's first and only policewoman is suing her employer after being subjected to sexual harassment for years, according to the complaint.

Officer Haley Fitzpatrick is suing the Town of Phillipsburg and the Phillipsburg Police Department, as well as a police sergeant and fellow officer, after what she describes as years of harassment and retaliation.

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According to the suit, filed Aug. 10, Fitzpatrick faced sexual harassment even before officially joining the department, with a police captain telling officers not to "flirt with her, sleep with her, or say anything inappropriate to her," prior to her first day.

The suit says Fitzpatrick's presence was immediately met with hostility from the rest of the department, which consisted of 40 to 50 male officers. Her co-workers made sexual comments to her, complained about having to work with a woman, and told her she was "pretty good for a woman," according to the filing.

At one point, while reviewing body-cam footage, one patrol officer placed his hand between Fitzpatrick's thighs and squeezed, the suit says. When she slapped his hand away, he laughed, it adds.

Co-workers also commented on Fitzpatrick's love life, asking about her exes, speculating on her sexual orientation, and creating rumors of sexual relationships with co-workers, according to the suit.

Fitzpatrick took her concerns to her superiors and was constantly dismissed, being told, "That's just (defendant)," the suit says.

Eventually, the harassment became so intense, Fitzpatrick began calling out of work, hiding in her car, and hunkering down in the locker room just to avoid the problematic coworkers, according to the suit.

On May 9, one officer offered Fitzpatrick roast beef he'd brought to the department, saying, "Do you want some of my meat?" according to the suit.

Fitzpatrick reported the comment to a superior Sergeant, who dismissed it, the suit reads. Eventually, an internal affairs investigation launched and found that the sergeant violated the department's policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment with regard to that comment specifically.

However, Fitzgerald's other allegations were deemed "not sustained" following the internal affairs investigation due to a lack of evidence.

Now, the female officer is claiming the department became a "hostile work environment due to sex and perceived sexual orientation," and retaliation.

Fitzpatrick is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs, interest, and other relief. She has also demanded a jury trial.

Patch.com has reached out to the Phillipsburg Police Department for comment, and representatives were not immediately available.