(Wilmington, Del.)- A former state trooper has filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit this week against Delaware State Police.
Deborah Jester filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Wilmington's U.S. District Court. In which, Jester claims she was treated differently from her male coworkers when she fell below the weight requirement. The lawsuit alleges Jester was physically fit and passed her fitness tests. But she had an issue "with her body that was deemed to be non-compliant." Jester wants back pay and to be reinstated as a master corporal.
State police have received the lawsuit, however, they will not comment while the lawsuit is pending.
Jester was given 90 days to comply with the weight and body fat requirements, on April 5th, 2011. At the end of September, she was deemed non-complaint, and then given another 90 days to comply. According to court documents, that's when she got a series of hormonal implants inserted into her hip area. She claims the pellets failed to increase her energy level needed to perform efficient physical workouts. Turns out, she had a sleeping disorder. So the agency granted her a six-month exemption from the weight control program.
According to her lawsuit, Jester had 60 days to comply or be "administratively separated from DSP ...." Months later, Jester had a final examination and deemed non-compliant.
She then "reluctantly submitted her notice of retirement noting that this notice of retirement was prompted solely by the finding of her non-compliance" with the Delaware State Police weight control program, along with other medical issues.
Jester was not given a hearing by Delaware State Police before she retired.