NEW HAVEN, Conn. — An investigation by a Connecticut city has found no evidence that a transgender police officer was subject to discrimination or a hostile work environment.
Middletown Officer Francesca Quaranta has alleged that while her colleagues were initially supportive, she began to face hostility from some and the treatment became so bad she went on paid leave. She filed a complaint last year with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, which is still pending.
Meanwhile, city human relations officials investigated and now say they found no evidence of discrimination.
“While officer Quaranta’s transgender transition is a new experience for her and the Middletown Police Department, it is believed that the department is handling her transition in a professional manner,” Faith Jackson, the city’s human relations director, wrote in a letter to the mayor.
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Mayor Daniel Drew said he and Police Chief William McKenna made it clear Quaranta was to receive equal treatment and supervising officers received training on the issue. The mayor said a sergeant also was given a 10-day unpaid suspension over a remark he made about her.
“We’ve taken this very seriously from day one and will continue to take it seriously,” he said.
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“I’m hoping that the state of Connecticut is much more open minded and actually looks at documents and actually listens to what I’m saying,” Quaranta said.
A Middletown police officer since 2004, she said she loves the job but isn’t sure she can return to the department.
“I think the harassment will just continue,” she said. “Actually I think it will be much worse this time.”
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