Scottish Lesbian Police Officer Wins Harassment Case

Police constable Tracey West, who claimed she was subjected to relentless homophobic slurs by her superior, has won a discrimination case in Glasgow, Scotland.

The lesbian police officer and mother of two filed suit against the force, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, as well as her supervisor, Sgt. Michael Service, for discrimination based on sexual orientation.

According to a BBC article, the abuse began when Service told West "that he would pass paperwork over the 'dyke' to her at the office they shared." Later, when West joined the Gay Police Association, Service referred to members of the group as "poofs" and "freaks."

West says the constant abuse left her tired and stressed. "I was petrified of him and I was a nervous wreck, totally worn out by the whole thing." The six-month ordeal so traumatized West that she resigned from the force and relocated to Australia.

Employment judge Raymond Williamson agreed that West had suffered significant distress and hurt feelings and ordered Service, who because of the allegations was forced to resign in 2008 after a 20-year career, to pay the claimant PS7,500 in damages. He also ordered Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary to pay PS2,500.

Read the full article here.