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Saddle River Police Officer Sues Department, Alleges Long-Standing Discrimination and Retaliation
By: Lisa | Injustice Media Inc. | Injustice.cc
In a striking legal action, Diana Golonek, the only female police officer in Saddle River, has filed a lawsuit against the borough and its police department, alleging years of discrimination in a hostile, misogynistic work environment. The suit claims that her complaints led to retaliation, compounding her challenges within the department.
Golonek, 39, who was hired 11 years ago and was the first woman to serve as a police officer in Saddle River, contends that a culture of toxic masculinity, allegedly fostered by Police Chief Jason Cosgriff, pervades the department. In court documents filed in Bergen County Superior Court, she accuses Cosgriff of dismissing her contributions and recommendations, actions that she argues have ultimately harmed the department.
The chief and other borough officials have yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
According to the lawsuit, Golonek has faced continuous belittlement and ridicule due to her gender. She claims that her colleagues mocked her hobbies and that she was subjected to mistreatment, which extended to her fiancé and friends.
One particularly absurd allegation includes the spread of rumors suggesting she was affiliated with a motorcycle gang simply because she owns a motorcycle. The suit details instances of mockery, including someone leaving a book about motorcycle gangs in her mailbox—a reflection of the hostile atmosphere she has endured.
Golonek also asserts that her professional contributions were routinely undermined. For example, she suggested that the department contract with a local business for washing patrol cars, only to be met with ridicule rather than support.
Retaliation for speaking out against alleged misconduct has been a recurring theme in Golonek’s experience. The lawsuit alleges that she was targeted for harassment, and that fellow officers who associated with her, including the department’s other female officer, faced repercussions. This other officer was reportedly terminated after befriending Golonek.
The legal action highlights a troubling pattern of favoritism, claiming that training opportunities and assignments were allocated based on personal preferences rather than merit. “The chief doles out training and assignments based on his affinity for his male officers rather than their seniority or merit,” the suit states, suggesting that loyalty to the chief is prioritized over competence.
Furthermore, Golonek alleges that her legitimate health-related absences were met with undue scrutiny. On one occasion, after taking a day off, a lieutenant was sent to her home—despite her being legitimately unwell. She reportedly waved at the lieutenant from her window during this unexpected visit.
In addition to these grievances, the lawsuit claims that her requests for accommodation for a back injury were denied, and that she was assigned undesirable tasks as punishment for seeking support.
The lawsuit cites multiple violations, including those under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, and the Civil Rights Act. Golonek’s claims encompass gender discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and failure to accommodate her disability.
As this case unfolds, it underscores critical issues surrounding gender equality and workplace culture in law enforcement, raising questions about the systemic challenges faced by women in the field.
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