Black Female Officers Sue Kansas City Police Department

Two Black female police officers allege in separate lawsuits that they were subjected to discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment at the Kansas City Police Department.

Officer Rashawnda Williams said in her lawsuit that her male colleagues made misogynistic, racist and sexist comments in her presence. Officer Alexis Bush-Bailey alleges in her lawsuit that a white female supervisor treated her unfairly because of her race, sex and age, The Kansas City Star reported.

Both lawsuits name the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners as defendants. The women said the police board, which controls the department, was responsible for how they were treated.

Their attorney, Spencer Webster, said both officers worked in department programs that included outreach to Kansas City youth.

Police spokesman Sgt. Jacob Becchina said the department does not comment on pending litigation.