
Gay Cop Wins Discrimination Case
HALEDON, NJ -- A police officer has received
a $450,000 settlement after suing Haledon, New Jersey and several of its
officials for discriminating against him and refusing him a promotion
because he is gay.
Sergeant James Len, a 20-year veteran of the force, claimed in May 2004
that he had been passed over for promotion and suffered harassment
because he is gay.
In 2002, Len told his wife and children he was gay and moved out of
their home. Soon after, as word spread through the police department
that he was gay, other officers started to treat him differently.
He was reprimanded for minor tardiness, even though his colleagues were
not. Former Councilman Ayman Mamkej once radioed "Homo, homo, homo," he
claimed, and former Mayor Ken Pengitore called him a "three-dollar
bill."
According to Len officers rigged the evaluation process in which Len was
being considered for a promotion to lieutenant in order to prevent him
from being promoted.
The settlement stipulates that charges brought against Len by the Police
Department be expunged from his personnel file, and that any promotion
practices in the future be done in "good faith".
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