Judge halts one probe of suspended cop

Friday, Dec. 4, 1998 | 11:26 a.m.

Suspended Metro Police Sgt. Debra Gauthier successfully stopped department officials Thursday from conducting one of two investigations now being conducted against her.

U.S. District Judge Philip Pro ordered police internal affairs officers to end their investigation of an allegation that Gauthier may have violated a department policy on harassment and discrimination.

However, he denied Gauthier's request for an injunction against a second investigation, one that alleges she violated a policy that prohibits subversive acts against the department.

The 17-year veteran was demoted to sergeant from lieutenant in 1997 after the department decided she had retaliated against a sergeant who filed internal complaints against her.

Last month she was placed on administrative leave pending the out-come of the two internal affairs investigations.

After learning she was about to be suspended she filed a lawsuit against the department in district court, but the suit was moved to federal court.

A hearing on Gauthier's request for an injunction against the two investigations was held Tuesday.

archive