Suit: Markham police officer harassed over gender, sexual orientation

A female police officer in south suburban Markham was harassed by male officers in the department based on her gender and sexual orientation, according to a federal lawsuit she filed Thursday against the city.

Brittney Jackson, an officer for the Markham Police Department since May 2010, filed the lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court, claiming the city violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Jackson, a lesbian, claims in the suit that she experienced sexual harassment at work between May 2010 and October 2013.

Derogatory or sexually explicit comments from other officers created a hostile work environment for Jackson, the suit alleges.

She filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and was issued a Right To Sue letter Oct. 6.

The one-count lawsuit seeks an undisclosed amount in damages.

Neither a representative from the Markham Police Department, nor the city of Markham, could be reached for comment Thursday evening.