ORLANDO, Fla., June 6 (UPI) -- A female police officer and breast cancer survivor from Florida says she was fired because she couldn't wear a bulletproof vest due to her breast implants.
Master Sgt. Rhonda Huckelbery filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Orlando Police Department alleging she was fired because her breast implants prevented her from wearing a bulletproof vest, WFTV, Orlando, reported Wednesday.
The alleged discrimination began when Huckelbery, a 25-year OPD veteran, was the supervisor of a tactical crime unit that was involved in a controversial shooting at a Target on East Colonial Drive three years ago.
After the shooting, Huckelbery was cleared of any wrongdoing, but then received her first negative review and was removed from the unit.
Huckelbery filed a grievance, after which every assignment she requested was given to a younger, less experienced male police officer, the lawsuit states.
Then, after she suffered breast cancer, she received breast implants. A doctors note said she was able to work without a bulletproof vest for 17 years, Huckelbery said.
The lawsuit said Huckelbery was fired and then later rehired for light duty.
Huckelbery blamed Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney for alleged gender, age and disability discrimination and retaliation.
The plaintiff was instructed by her lawyer not to comment on the lawsuit and the police department said it won't comment on pending litigation.
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