Suspended Cop Sues N.J. on Bias Claim

A lesbian police officer is suing the state of New Jersey, claiming that authorities suspended her for sexually harassing another officer because of her sexual orientation.

State police sergeant Christine Shallcross, 44, filed a lawsuit Monday, according to The Trentonian. She claims the state police and the office of the attorney general conspired to violate her civil rights and discriminated against her.

Shallcross was suspended without pay when state trooper Alexis Hayes, 30, accused Shallcross of harassment in January 2009. According to the report, Shallcross told Hayes she loved her and kissed her on the cheek. Hayes's sexual harassment lawsuit against Shallcross was dropped months later.

In May another lawsuit filed by Hayes against New Jersey state police lieutenant Thomas King was also dropped. The suit alleged King got her drunk and then raped her while they were serving on a funeral assignment in April 2009.

Shallcross has been suspended without pay since December 2009. Hayes is also suspended without pay and is one of the 11 defendants in Shallcross's suit.