Ansonia PD
Ansonia Police Department.
ANSONIA – A police officer is suing the department in federal court, alleging she was denied a promotion because she is a woman.
Officer Jacquelyn Troesser sued the city on Feb. 28, alleging that the department failed to give her a promotion she was qualified for.
The lawsuit says the department had two open detective positions in late 2021. To decide who’d get promoted, written and oral exams were given to interested officers in January 2022.
According to the lawsuit, Troesser scored second on the exams, making her eligible for one of the two open positions. However, she was not promoted.
Instead, Ansonia Police Department Chief Wayne Williams asked the mayor for permission to fill only one of the two open spots, the lawsuit states.
In December 2022 – eleven months after the exams – Troesser asked Williams about the job, and that he told her she wouldn’t be getting it.
“Despite her being the leading and highest ranked candidate, Chief Williams responded that he would not be sending her name to Mayor (David) Cassetti to be considered for the open Detective position,” the lawsuit says.
In January 2023, Troesser’s exam results expired. That meant she became ineligible for promotion, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says she should have been promoted before then.
“Defendant’s rationale for failing or refusing to promote Plaintiff to the rank of Detective was motivated, in part or in whole, by impermissible gender discrimination,” the lawsuit states.
Troesser filed a discrimination complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, as well as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in September 2023, according to court documents.
She received a “release of jurisdiction” notice last December, allowing her to bring court claims against the city.
The city responded in court on April 14. In its response, it acknowledged that Troesser placed second on the exams. However, the city denied that it was hiring for two open positions.
The city said it didn’t violate Troesser’s rights.
“Defendant has not engaged with the requisite malice or with reckless indifference to any federally protected rights,” the city’s court filing says.
Lawyers for both parties met for a planning meeting in April. The lawsuit could head toward a trial, according to a report following that meeting.
“The parties certify that they have considered the potential benefits of attempting to settle the case before undertaking significant discovery or motion practice,” the report says. “Settlement is unlikely at this time.”
Troesser’s lawsuit demands compensatory damages, attorney fees, and a declaration that the city acted unlawfully.
Troesser is represented in the lawsuit by Trumbull attorney Daniel Angelone. The city is represented by Hartford attorney Robin Kallor. The Valley Indy sent emails to both attorneys but did not hear back.
A lawsuit status conference was scheduled for July 1.
