Female Officer Who Filed Sex Harassment Lawsuit Against Philadelphia Police Department Resigns
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — A Philadelphia police corporal whose sexual harassment lawsuit against the department led the police commissioner to step down won't return to the job after her medical leave. A lawyer for Audra McCowan says the 15-year veteran turned in her gun and badge Wednesday.
Lawyer Ian Bryson says McCowan resigned rather than return to a desk job in a hallway at police headquarters where she felt ostracized.
"Effective immediately, I am resigning from my employment with the Philadelphia Police Department. I can no longer tolerate the sex and race discrimination, hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and retaliation that I have endured while working there," McCowan said in a letter. "My complaints have fallen on deaf ears -- not only has it continued, but I have been retaliated against for reporting it. My physical and mental health are failing as a result."
The pending suit filed by McCowan and Patrol Officer Jennifer Allen says their complaints of being physically and verbally harassed by colleagues were ignored for years.
McCowan says that's because she broke off a long-ago affair with former Commissioner Richard Ross.
He denied any retaliation when he stepped down in August, but said he was leaving for the good of the city.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)