SBPD ordered to pay former officer after alleged retaliation

The City of South Bend will have to pay up for retaliating against a former officer after she filed a sexual harassment complaint.

That’s the word from the jury in the case of former South Bend Police Officer Joy Phillips, who they found in favor of and awarded $35,000 in damages.

Phillips alleged that the department launched a series of internal investigations and disciplinary actions against her after she filed a sexual harassment complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2014. A judge previosly dismissed those claims.

The city had stated that Philips was held accountable for policy violations and poor conduct.