WESTBROOK, Maine – A second female police officer is planning to sue the city of Westbrook for sexual harassment.
Sandy Mailman started working for the Westbrook Police Department in 2008. She claims the abuse started about three years later. In her 70-page complaint, Officer Mailman writes that she was treated differently than her male counterparts. She cites one instance when she says a male officer blocked her from leaving the building in an attempt to intimidate her.
Mailman also says she didn’t get a school resource officer job that she applied for, but a male officer with less experience who didn’t even apply did get the job. She also claims the former chief didn’t do enough to stop the alleged abuse.
City officials said they were surprised and disappointed to hear about the claims and that they’re looking into the allegations. Westbrook’s mayor said she is surprised by the claims as well and hopes to avoid litigation.
Another female officer, Melissa May, filed suit against the city with many of the same complaints as Mailman and about five years ago, two female firefighters in Westbrook sued on similar grounds. The city settled with the firefighters for $850,000.