A former Algood Police officer filed a lawsuit against the department claiming it was a hostile work environment that included sexual and racial harassment
"I started shining a light on things they didn't want light to be shown on," said Dana Looper.
She was an officer with the Algood Police Department for six years before she was fired in 2015.
She filed a federal lawsuit alleging a pattern of "... discriminatory conduct, improper sexual advances, sexual and racial harassment...and a generalized hostile working environment.
She said it was "... well-known, tolerated and condoned."
"When something like this happens and if you are strong enough then even though there will be backlash you should try to make a change," said Looper.
Looper said she received promotions and had a good employment record, but she was always aware of inappropriate sexual comments or slurs targeting her or other female officers.
"Anything you wouldn't want to tell your momma. I wouldn't want to have them in front of my family so why would you do it in the workplace?" said Looper.
The officers would complain to higher-ups but Looper said nothing was done.
"There was no investigation to encourage women or minorities to come forward."
In one instance, Looper, who had the rank of sergeant, said another female officer came to her with yet another complaint, and Looper simply suggested she might want to speak to an attorney.
Looper said the administration did not appreciate that, and she quickly found herself on the outs.
Not long after that she said she was fired for what they said was not properly performing duties and insubordination.
The city is standing by that action. The attorney for the city said a Chancery Court judge has already upheld that Looper's firing was justified and that attorney says the federal court likely will as well.
Looper's lawsuit names the city manager, police chief and the city of Algood.
