A former Detroit Public Schools police officer, Kelley Mays, is pursuing a $1 million lawsuit against the school district over claims of enduring sexual harassment and retaliatory firing, stating "It was humiliating, it was demeaning," a sentiment she shared after her termination last month as reported by FOX 2 Detroit.
The allegations revolve around Ronald Johnson, the district's former chief, who according to Mays made several derogatory and sexually suggestive remarks to her, an experience she described during a conversation with CBS Detroit; allegations include an inappropriate comment related to flowers on her desk and was even asked if she had gold "down there," coupled with insinuations of her involvement with male colleagues, her suit describes having brought this issue to multiple parties including the chief, the office of the inspector general, employee relations, and her union, none who took action, Mays told FOX 2 Detroit.
Following her reports Mays found herself demoted from the rank of sergeant to a patrol officer and observed that necessary privileges to perform her duties were denied - moves detailed by her attorney, Eric Frankie as reprisals, who in an interview with clickondetroit claimed that "the very people Kelley complained to about the sexual harassment and who did nothing about it were the ones who fired her on false charges"; during her lawsuit announcement, Mays referenced an incident where a fellow officer's firearm was taken by a student, yet unlike her, faced no disciplinary action, suggesting a disparate treatment arising from her complaints of harassment.
Mays' legal battle with the Detroit Public Schools Community District underscores her pursuit of justice not just for herself but as a statement against sexual harassment in the workplace, as she expressed the need for accountability and a workplace environment free of harassment to CBS Detroit, desiring her old position back and consequences for those who wronged her, both the district's superintendent and the school board have not issued any statements regarding her claims at this time according to multiple sources.
