The City Settles

Kentucky State Police settled a sex discrimination and retaliation lawsuit for $600,000 just before a jury was set to deliberate the case, bringing an end to a 3.5-year legal battle that will also force the plaintiff to retire.

Captain Jennifer Sandlin sued KSP claiming she was repeatedly passed over for promotions that went to male officers, then faced retaliation for taking legal action. As part of the settlement reached Thursday, Sandlin must retire at the end of January and will receive reinstatement of 12 weeks of sick time pay.

“It’s been 3 and a half years. It’s been a really tough battle, and you know I don’t regret doing it, but it has taken a toll on my life,” Sandlin said.

Sandlin alleged KSP leadership discriminated against her because she was a woman with children. She claimed she was passed over for the position of major four times.

According to court documents, when Sandlin sought a position in Frankfort, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett told her it would require significant “seat time” in Frankfort and suggested she discuss it with her husband. Sandlin documented in a journal that she felt pressured to convince leadership she could handle the role by explaining her husband was retired and her oldest child could drive.

The lawsuit also detailed an incident from 2005 when Sandlin was pregnant with her first child. She alleged a commander told her to bring verification of her pregnancy, saying some women might fake pregnancies to avoid road duty and then claim they miscarried.

“I didn’t want to give up and I didn’t want other women coming in to ever have to deal with that, and I hope that this case prevents that from happening again,” Sandlin said.

Several jury members who spoke after court said they believed there needs to be a culture change at Kentucky State Police and that underlying bias exists within the agency. Another juror said he wasn’t sure Sandlin’s side proved there was sex discrimination but believed there was evidence of retaliation …