Part-time officer sues Buffalo Township
A part-time female police officer with the Buffalo Township Police Department is suing the township, alleging that she was discriminated against due to her gender and passed over for a promotion to a full-time officer.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Patricia A. Forester, alleges that she was “subjected to discrimination in employment on the basis of sex (female) and for a claim of violation of equal protection of her rights under the 14th amendment to the Constitution as a female in intentionally not promoting her based upon her sex,” and that township officials instead “promoted a less qualified and less senior male employee.”
Forester's attorney, John Egers with the Julian Law Firm in Washington, Pa., said the lawsuit seeks to grant Forester promotion to full-time officer, monetary damages in the form of lost wages and benefits she would have been entitled to from the time she was passed up for promotion, as well as compensatory damages.
On Jan. 25, Forester was issued a right to sue letter by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding her claim of sexual discrimination.
Forester, of Saxonburg, has been and remains employed with the police department, and is its only female officer, Egers said.
Township officials declined to comment on the lawsuit when contacted at the township office.
Attorneys with Lutz and Pawk, which represents the township, did not return calls for comment.
Read the full story in the Butler Eagle.
