Are you ready for a shocking story straight out of Phoenix? One police commander is taking legal action against the city, claiming they turned a blind eye to workplace harassment.
Amy Breitzman, a dedicated employee of the Phoenix Police Department for nearly three decades, has filed a lawsuit alleging that a colleague deliberately undermined her career growth opportunities.
The lawsuit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, accuses the city and its staff of discriminatory practices and retaliation against Breitzman. She claims that her reports of workplace harassment were swept under the rug by the city.
Furthermore, Breitzman asserts that her career suffered a blow when she was denied two well-deserved promotions and demoted to a “less desirable position” last year.
According to the lawsuit, one of the assistant chiefs at the agency allegedly orchestrated a campaign to hinder Breitzman’s promotion prospects by influencing other commanders. When Breitzman filed a complaint against this assistant chief, alleging gender bias, she was promptly reassigned to a different role.
“Ms. Breitzman found herself in an intolerable work environment that was both severe and pervasive,” the lawsuit states, painting a grim picture of the situation.
The city has refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation. The defendants named in the lawsuit include the City of Phoenix, former Assistant Chief Sean Connolly, and Assistant Chief Nicholas Diponzio.
Related stories:
‘Important for our community to see’: Phoenix PD releases records connected to DOJ report
City of Phoenix responds to Supreme Court decision on homeless camping bans
Stay Updated with 12News+
Did you know you can now access all 12News content on the go with the 12News+ app? Stay in the loop with live streams, daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News,” as well as our lifestyle program “Arizona Midday” on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ offers live video coverage of breaking news, local updates, weather forecasts, and even moments of tranquility featuring Arizona’s picturesque landscapes. Dive into on-demand videos covering top stories, local investigations, Arizona-centric features, and vintage footage from the 12News archives.
Get 12News+ on:
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or search for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find and add the free 12News+ app, or have it delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.