Former Smith police officer files suit against township
A former Smith Township police officer filed a lawsuit claiming the municipality violated a federal act by terminating and refusing to rehire her.
The civil suit, filed in federal court Nov. 29 by an attorney for Amber Price, asks for damages including lost earnings and reinstatement. She is seeking a trial by jury.
According to the complaint, Price worked part time for the department from 2008 to Jan. 5, 2015, while working a full-time health-care job. On Nov. 8, 2012, Price said she sustained brain and shoulder injuries at the health-care job, for which she received workers’ compensation benefits. During that period, Price received police department updates, which were required to maintain her certification as an officer.
On Jan. 2, 2015, Price alleges she notified the township that she wanted to return to work and expected to be released by her physician within 60 days.
The township notified Price three days later that her employment was terminated. Price alleges she “solicited applications” for a part-time position on March 28, 2015, but the township “refused to reinstate” her.
The suit alleges the department then hired two less-qualified officers in April.
“As a result … (Price) has suffered loss of income, other economic losses, training opportunities and other substantial benefits, humiliation, mental anguish and damage to her professional reputation and relationships,” stated attorney Susan E. Mahood in the suit.
Smith Township solicitor Gary Sweat said Monday Price was within the probationary period for the entire length of her employment. Officers are considered off probation once they have worked 1,000 hours. Sweat said Price had worked about 250 hours.
The suit alleges the township violated the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs run by federal agencies.
Sweat said the township’s insurance carrier will assign the case to an attorney.
A phone message left for Mahood was not returned.
Price, who at one time worked for the now-disbanded Burgettstown police department, previously filed a federal lawsuit against that borough and Washington County officials that was settled in 2012. Price claimed she was maliciously prosecuted after a surveillance camera was found in an air vent facing the bathroom where she and other female staff changed their clothes.