Eleven San Diego Unified school police officers sued their department and Chief Alfonso Contreras this week, alleging that he and other supervisors he is friends with have discriminated against them based on their race, disability, gender and sexual orientation over the course of years.
The lawsuit reiterates dozens of allegations that officers previously announced in August against leaders of the San Diego Unified school police department, but it now also includes a new claim accusing Contreras of having sexually assaulted a female officer years ago.
The plaintiffs say these supervisors denied them training, overtime pay and promotional opportunities, subjected them to verbal abuse, mocked them for their medical conditions and made anti-gay and racist remarks to officers.
The plaintiffs, who have worked in the department for between six to 33 years, describe a powerful clique they say rewards its own members with promotions while bullying and denying opportunities to other officers.
This clique, according to officers, includes Contreras, Sergeant Jenifer Gruner, Captain Ivan Picazo, Captain David Landman and Sergeant Robert Bonilla. At its center, the plaintiffs say, is a decades-long romantic relationship between Contreras and Gruner, which they allege has created a conflict of interest in the department and special privileges for Gruner.
Officers allege the abuse has been ongoing for years but intensified last year after Contreras, a 34-year veteran, was promoted by Superintendent Lamont Jackson to chief.
In addition to Contreras, the lawsuit names Gruner, Jackson and the school police department as defendants.
San Diego Unified spokesperson Maureen Magee said the district cannot discuss details of personnel matters and does not comment on pending litigation. “All allegations received by the district are investigated and taken seriously,” Magee said in an email.
Contreras and Gruner did not respond to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs’ law firm, Gomez Trial Attorneys, first announced plans to sue the district on behalf of nine officers four months ago. On Monday, attorneys filed the lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court on behalf of those nine and two additional officers.
One of the new allegations made in the lawsuit is that Contreras sexually assaulted a female officer during an off-site training. The officer did not report the assault for years, according to the lawsuit, out of fear of retaliation from department leaders.
The lawsuit also alleges department leaders have retaliated against the plaintiffs since they filed complaints with the California Civil Rights Department and announced their plans to sue in August, denying them promotion opportunities and delaying scheduled pay raises.
Several officers said the harassment has caused them medical issues, including panic attacks, depression, high blood pressure and kidney stones.
According to the lawsuit, none of the department leaders accused of misconduct have been placed on leave pending an investigation.
Allegations of misconduct by the supervisors had been circulating in the department for months prior to the August announcement, including allegations that Gruner committed time card fraud with Contreras’ approval. But it was unclear at that point whether the district had been investigating.
Jesus Montana, a field sergeant and one of the plaintiffs, said an investigator began interviewing him and other officers in September.
