A gay California police officer is suing the department, claiming he suffered years of discrimination and harassment from his superiors and fellow officers, resulting in him being diagnosed with PTSD.
In a lawsuit filed in California Superior Court, Sgt. Tyler Peppard, who joined the Oceanside Police Department as a new recruit in August 2016, claims he was treated unfairly by his superiors and even given a negative performance review. opposed About his alleged “lifestyle”.
Peppard, a second-generation officer, was initially admired and recognized as an excellent officer by his superiors, but things changed when his partner “outmaneuvered” him to the other officers. At that point, Peppard said she noticed a change in the attitude of her co-workers and boss.
In August 2017, about a year after taking the job, Mr. Peppard claimed to be his immediate superior, Sergeant John Johnson. Brandt and field training officer Matt Byrd talked about his work. Mr Peppard claims Mr Blunt told him: “Your lifestyle choices go against the values of the police force.” Your father is probably disappointed and embarrassed. Perhaps he wants you to turn in your badge and gun. ”
Blunt also told Peppard, “You only live at home and you need more life experience. Your mom just had a younger brother, and if you ask me, it’s bad planning and it’s pissing me off.” It is said that he also said.
When Mr. Peppard asked why the mother’s pregnancy was brought into the performance review and what exactly “lifestyle choices” meant, Mr. Byrd allegedly said, “Shut up.” There is. Now is not your time to speak. ”
Ms Peppard was later recommended for termination after she noticed that her daily observation report grades “went from high to extremely low.”
The father used his connections to help his son keep his job and move him “out of the jurisdiction of a struggling unit,” according to the complaint.
Peppard then received “above average” and “outstanding” ratings and was able to “succeed” in his job until the end of 2023, when he was replaced by a new boss, according to the complaint. At that point, the harassment started again.
His colleagues would leave rotten food in his equipment bag and sometimes tamper with his SWAT equipment by removing ammunition from Peppard’s magazines, which had dangerous and deadly consequences. There was a possibility.
The harassment was constant, almost daily, and affected Peppard’s chances for promotion. He was denied 43 days of his 180-day term as a trainee sergeant because the patrol division commander said he “did not trust” Peppard and believed Peppard was a “liability” to the division.
The lawsuit alleges that while other officers were given the green light to become full-time sergeants, his extended probationary period jeopardized his future pay and benefits, as well as future promotion opportunities. He claims to have been adversely affected.
“Plaintiff experienced discrimination solely because he was openly gay,” the complaint states. “In fact, he is the only openly gay person in the entire department.”
The City of Oceanside subsequently launched an internal investigation to look into Peppard’s allegations. Oceanside City Attorney John Mullen told NBC affiliate San Diego. KNSD The investigation is ongoing and the city will not comment further “until all witnesses have been interviewed, all relevant evidence has been examined and an independent investigation has been completed.”
Peppard’s attorney, Dante Pride, told KFMB that his client was treated differently after the outing, from the way his fellow officers spoke to him. He expects more salient details about his client’s abuse to emerge as the case progresses.
“I was told that the people I have to report to, the people who are responsible for my paycheck, the people who are responsible for my time, the people who are basically in charge of my life, believe that my parents should be like this. “I don’t know how I would feel if I did. I’m embarrassed because of my sexuality,” Pride said. “I mean, it’s heavy, very heavy.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
