Saddle River, NJ—Sgt. Diana Golonek, the sole female officer in the Saddle River Police Department, has initiated a six-count lawsuit against both the department and the borough, alleging a pattern of bullying, harassment, and ridicule over her 11 years of service. The 47-page lawsuit, submitted to Superior Court on September 30, details accusations of gender and disability discrimination, retaliation, and violations of both the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act and the New Jersey Civil Rights Act.
Golonek’s claims reveal a concerning narrative about the treatment of women within the department. Her lawsuit follows a tort claim she filed in July 2023, which was later amended in April, expressing her hope for improvements to what she described as a hostile work environment. Unfortunately, she claims that her concerns went unaddressed.
Key Allegations in the Lawsuit
According to the complaint, Golonek experienced hostility from her first day, particularly from then-Captain Jason Cosgriff, who allegedly marginalized her contributions. After becoming chief in 2018, Cosgriff purportedly displayed a bias against female officers, fostering an environment rife with harassment. The lawsuit cites multiple examples of misconduct, including:
- Referring to Golonek’s team derogatorily as the “blond stupid squad.”
- Advising other officers to avoid her, labeling her as a “negative person” and a “bad officer.”
- Subjecting her to more frequent drug tests than her male colleagues, including a 2021 test with unusual protocols.
- Implying she had connections to a motorcycle gang because of her motorcycle ownership, and leaving a book about motorcycle gangs in her mailbox.
- Restricting her access to essential equipment by placing it in the men’s locker room.
- Denying her request for a supportive vest to help with back pain caused by her gear.
Retaliation and Career Stagnation
Despite being promoted to sergeant in May 2022, Golonek asserts that her career advancement has been deliberately obstructed. The lawsuit claims that Chief Cosgriff withheld specialized assignments that could enhance her career, and after she filed her tort claim in 2023, she faced several reprimands, including a disciplinary notice proposing a 90-day suspension despite maintaining an exemplary record for a decade.
Golonek further alleges that Cosgriff blamed her for delays in department promotions and indicated that an internal investigation suggested punitive measures for her reporting of misconduct by others.
Seeking Accountability
Golonek’s lawsuit aims to hold the borough and police department accountable for what she describes as a culture of unchecked misconduct and sexism. She is not alone in her experiences; another female officer, Maryan Beskaly, who was hired in May 2022, was terminated in April 2023 after expressing her concerns about the department.
As this case progresses, it underscores the challenges faced by women in law enforcement and highlights the urgent need to address workplace harassment and discrimination. The borough has not yet made a public statement regarding the lawsuit.
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