HOUSTON — A group of former female San Jacinto College Police Department officers claim they faced discrimination and retaliation.
Officer Iesha Holland-Cohn, Officer Diamond Watson, Officer Chonda Williams, Sergeant Shannon Groves and Officer Desiree Trejo filed a complaint May 15 in Harris County District Court against San Jacinto College District alleging discrimination and retaliation.
The plaintiffs, who were employees of the San Jacinto College Police Department, claim that they suffered from disability, race, color and sex discrimination and retaliation "by the defendants and their agents." Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that then Lt. Bruce Caldwell, who is now chief of the San Jacinto College Police Department, and others serving under his command, have "a well established track record" of discriminatory and retaliatory behavior. Among some of the allegations in their suit are plaintiff Holland-Cohn, an African American female, alleging she was singled out and faced scrutiny because she agreed to testify in a discrimination suit against the defendant.
In addition, Plaintiff Groves, a Hispanic female, alleges she was harassed and bullied by a superior as a result of race discrimination and retaliation. Also according to the suit, Plaintiff Trejo, a Hispanic female, claims she was denied the opportunity to get additional certifications and professional development, denied use of her bereavement leave to attend her grandfather's funeral, sick leave to care fo her child and faced other discriminatory actions.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by R. Scott Poerschke, Jr. and Heather Davis of The Poerschke Law Firm PC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-29273