“Ocean County complaint alleges years of bias, retaliation, and hostile work environment.”
Lakewood, NJ – A Lakewood police sergeant has filed a detailed lawsuit accusing the township of fostering a workplace culture marked by gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, with allegations spanning nearly a decade of service.
The complaint, filed Friday in Ocean County Superior Court, was brought by Caitlyn Kicki, a veteran officer who joined the Lakewood Police Department in 2017 and was later promoted to sergeant. The lawsuit alleges violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, claiming she endured “a pervasive culture of misogyny and systemic gender bias” throughout her career.
Kicki claims the conduct affected her assignments, training opportunities, and professional advancement, while also creating what she describes as a hostile and unequal work environment.
Key Points
- Lakewood police sergeant alleges long-term gender discrimination and retaliation
- Lawsuit cites missed training, denied opportunities, and workplace harassment
- Complaint seeks damages under New Jersey Law Against Discrimination
Early career allegations describe unequal standards
According to the complaint, Kicki faced gender-based bias early in her tenure, including comments from male officers that she should not be like “the other female officers,” which she alleges reflected a broader perception that women were less capable.
The lawsuit states she was told she needed to be “better than all the other female officers” to succeed, creating what she describes as a higher and unequal standard compared to male colleagues.
The complaint also alleges that in field operations, female officers were treated differently during calls for service. In some instances, when a female officer responded as backup, additional units were requested solely because of her gender.
“These requests would be made over the police radio,” the filing states, adding that supervisors were aware but did not intervene.
Harassment claims and internal investigation questioned
The lawsuit details a 2018 incident in which Kicki alleges she was sexually harassed during a training event in Atlantic City. While the incident was reported, the complaint claims the department’s internal investigation was inadequate.
“Despite the gravity of the allegations, the LPD conducted a perfunctory internal affairs investigation that ultimately resulted in a finding of no wrongdoing,” the complaint states.
Kicki further alleges that investigators engaged in victim-blaming, suggesting her own actions contributed to the incident. The lawsuit claims this response discouraged her from reporting future misconduct.
Promotion and recognition overshadowed by alleged bias
Although Kicki was promoted to sergeant in 2022 and received recognition for her work—including Mothers Against Drunk Driving awards—the lawsuit claims she was treated differently than male officers in similar positions.
According to the complaint, male officers were invited to award ceremonies and publicly recognized, while she was not invited and instead received awards after the fact.
The filing also references workplace comments about female officers returning from maternity leave, including a remark that one officer “better bounce back,” which the lawsuit alleges contributed to a discriminatory environment.
Disputes over training and assignments detailed
A significant portion of the complaint focuses on alleged disparities in training and career opportunities.
Kicki claims she was denied access to specialized legal training after male sergeants had already been approved. The lawsuit alleges that after she requested to attend, the training was canceled altogether, which she describes as an effort to avoid granting her the same opportunity.
The complaint also alleges she was denied a transfer to a records and property unit—considered a desirable assignment—despite applying for the position. Instead, the role was given to a junior male sergeant who had not requested the assignment.
In another instance, Kicki claims she was excluded from a Women in Law Enforcement conference after being left off an email invitation. When she later applied, the request was delayed and ultimately not approved.
Pregnancy, injury, and specialty unit conflicts cited
The lawsuit further alleges discrimination related to pregnancy and medical status.
Kicki claims that after taking maternity leave and later being placed on light duty due to injury, her absence from certain evaluations was labeled as a “lack of effort” when she sought to renew a certification.
While assigned to light duty, she alleges she was denied a support role in a water rescue operation that fit her restrictions, even though a male officer with an injury had previously been allowed to participate in training.
The complaint also states she was removed from the Water Rescue Team after raising concerns about being treated differently than male colleagues.
Social media post by police chief included in complaint
The lawsuit cites a March social media post involving Lakewood Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer, who commented on a training-related image with language the plaintiff describes as inappropriate.
According to the complaint, the comment included sexual references and was part of a broader pattern of behavior contributing to what she describes as a hostile workplace culture.
Other comments on the same post, included in the filing, are described as misogynistic.
Legal claims and case status
Kicki’s lawsuit includes claims of gender discrimination, pregnancy and disability discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment under state law.
The complaint alleges the township’s actions were “knowing, willful, and deliberate violations” of her rights and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney’s fees and other relief.
The case has been filed with a demand for a jury trial and is pending in Ocean County Superior Court. No response from the township has been filed publicly.