Lesbian former police officer wins $10 million in sexual harassment lawsuit

A former California police officer has been awarded $10 million in damages after winning a harassment lawsuit against her department.

Ashley Cummins, an out lesbian and MMA fighter, was hired by the National City Police Department in August, 2018. She had previously worked for eight years with the St. Louis County Police Department, serving as a task officer for the FBI and DEA.

Her lawsuit, initially filed in 2022, claims that she endured harassment and discrimination from her coworkers between March, 2020 and January, 2021 while she worked as an officer for National City.

“Cummins, an openly lesbian woman, was forced to work in a hostile work environment where she was frequently harassed and denied opportunities based on her sex/gender and sexual orientation," the lawsuit reads, via NBC News. "Cummins also witnessed other female officers endure similar harassing and discriminatory treatment at NCPD.”

Cummins claimed that a male officer with significantly less experience was given a position with the department's K-9 unit over her. She stated that she and the other women officers were discouraged from reporting harassment and gender discrimination, and that the men in her squad repeatedly targeted her.

Cummins' lawsuit also asserted that "many of the male officers and supervisors indicated that if female officers wanted to fit in at NCPD, they either needed to be submissive to the male officers or sleep with them."

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Cummins' attorney, Jeffrey Hogue, said that speaking out about the harassment and filing the lawsuit has ruined her career in law enforcement. He said, via The Star News, that she "has applied to numerous departments and has not gotten a single job, or job offer."

"Our hearts go out to her because this has really ruined her life. It has cost her a lot," Hogue said. "She has been in so much pain and struggles for the last five years since 2020 when it started.”

Hogue also said that "we fully expect [the city] to appeal," which City Attorney Barry J. Schultz has since confirmed. Schultz said via NBC San Diego that "the city is extremely disappointed with the outcome and is currently reviewing all of the legal options, including a possible appeal."

"The city remains committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive workplace for all employees, and to continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism within the police department," Schultz said. "Notwithstanding the city’s disappointment, the city and the police department will carefully assess the verdict and determine what lessons can be learned."