A former Whitehall police officer is dragging the city and its top brass into federal court, claiming they pushed her out for backing the police union and for being a woman. In a new lawsuit, she accuses city leaders of retaliation, civil-rights violations and creating a hostile work environment, and is seeking monetary damages.
Federal Complaint Lands in Columbus Court
Former Officer Brooke Cano, 40, filed her complaint on March 10, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus. She names Police Chief Mike Crispen, Deputy Chief Chad Wilder, Lt. Matthew Parr, Safety Director Van Gregg and Mayor Michael Bivens as defendants.
The lawsuit seeks money damages for retaliation, gender discrimination, deprivation of rights, an alleged conspiracy to violate civil rights and a hostile work environment, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Union Tensions Set the Stage
The case is unfolding against a backdrop of long-running friction between Whitehall officials and the Fraternal Order of Police, which has challenged several officer terminations in recent years. WOSU reported that the FOP won reinstatement for another officer in February 2025 after a months-long dispute, and that Cano previously served as a union grievance officer before she was fired.
June 2024 Arrest Triggers State Investigation
Cano’s conduct came under the microscope after a June 2024 arrest tied to a stolen car and an officer-involved critical incident. A state investigative file compiled afterward includes body-worn-camera footage and detailed timing notes from officers at the scene.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation report on the incident at 4632 East Main Street in Whitehall lays out body-camera timestamps, when medics arrived and what first-aid steps officers took. The report also warns that camera angles and recording limits can affect how those events are interpreted.
Firing, Pregnancy and a Dispute Over Medical Aid
According to the lawsuit, Cano was terminated in December 2024 as retaliation for her union activities and because she is a woman. Whitehall police told The Columbus Dispatch that she received a three-day suspension for her actions in the June incident and that the person she arrested was pregnant.
The complaint, however, asserts that Cano called for medical help 2 minutes and 18 seconds into the encounter and alleges that another officer waited 27 minutes before calling for aid.
Civil-Rights Stakes and a Long Road Ahead
The suit raises federal civil-rights claims that could pry open internal discipline records, additional body-camera footage and city communications during the discovery process. The FOP has already pushed for arbitration and litigation in related disputes, and WOSU has reported the union’s criticism of department leadership, suggesting the case could take months to move through federal court.
What Comes Next for Whitehall and Cano
For now, the lawsuit is pending in federal court. Future filings and scheduling orders will determine whether the case heads toward settlement talks or a full-blown trial.
Cano’s complaint says she had an “unblemished work history” before her termination. However the judge ultimately rules, the outcome could influence how Whitehall handles officer discipline, union representation and oversight going forward.
