Teresa Williams thought she had landed her dream job in Iron Mountain, Michigan, becoming the first female officer in the history of the rural town's police department.
But she was relentlessly harassed & assaulted during her 4½ years there and ultimately resigned, according to a federal lawsuit she filed last month against 3 Iron Mountain officers.
Within weeks of being hired in October 2017, she was forced to make out with her direct supervisor at a bar, according to the suit. The supervisor & Williams’ former patrol partner also bet on who could have sex with her first.
The lawsuit alleges sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, a hostile work environment & retaliation. Named as defendants are the department’s top 2 supervisors, Ed Mattson & Joseph Dumais. Garth Budek, Williams’ former patrol partner, is the third officer named as a defendant. Also named as defendants are the city & the police department.
Schulz and Williams said none of the 3 officers who are defendants have faced discipline or been investigated criminally.
Only weeks after Williams was hired, she was invited to a bar, the lawsuit says. She was excited about the opportunity to bond with her new colleagues.
However, at the bar, Dumais pressured her into doing a Fireball shot & making out with him as part of an initiation ritual, according to the suit.
Later on at the bar, Dumais asked for another shot with Williams, according to the suit. She repeatedly refused before she relented & was groped for the first time by a colleague.
“Dumais pressured Plaintiff into taking the second IMPD shot, however this time Dumais put his hand between Plaintiff’s legs & grabbed her genitals,” it says.
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Source: NBC News
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