Two veteran members of the Dallas Police Department have taken legal action against their employer, alleging that gender bias led to their removal from the department’s elite Fugitive Unit in 2025. Officer Meredith Leftwich and Senior Corporal Kimberly Howard filed a federal lawsuit asserting that they were demoted from “operational” to “partially operational” status solely because they are women.
Allegations of bias and hostile environment
The complaint cites internal training comments that singled out Howard’s stature, describing it as “simply her size,” and suggested another female officer was “too nice to pull the trigger.” These remarks, according to the suit, illustrate a pattern of demeaning language that contributed to a workplace environment in which highly qualified, dependable women are treated as disposable.
Attorney JoDee Neil, representing Leftwich and Howard, said the lawsuit seeks to have the disciplinary files cleared, obtain a public apology, and secure discovery that will reveal the extent of gender discrimination within the department. “My goal is to see the files wiped clean, maybe an apology, maybe a public statement,” Neil told reporters. “I would also like to obtain critical discovery so that we can learn exactly how severe and pervasive gender discrimination is at DPD.”
Support from the Dallas Police Women’s Association
Jennifer Atherton, president of the Dallas Police Women’s Association, recounted additional discriminatory remarks from Major Gerald Smalley, who questioned the presence of women in the department’s SWAT team. “He says, ‘Now, Jennifer, let me ask you, how many women are in SWAT right now?’ I said, ‘I don’t know if there’s any women in SWAT right now,’ and he said, ‘Well, there’s not. And maybe there’s a reason for that,'” Atherton recalled. She emphasized that both officers are exemplary, noting that they often outperform some male colleagues.
Department response and procedural background
The lawsuit follows an internal grievance process that escalated to Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, but the officers say the process failed to address their concerns. The Dallas Police Department did not respond to FOX 4’s request for comment, and the City of Dallas declined to comment on pending litigation.
Both Leftwich and Howard have since been restored to “operational” status, but they argue that the reinstatement does not erase the damage caused by the earlier demotion and the accompanying hostile remarks.
Legal context and next steps
The federal filing seeks injunctive relief, damages, and a court order requiring the department to review its policies and training practices to ensure compliance with federal anti‑discrimination laws. If successful, the case could prompt broader reforms within the Dallas Police Department and set a precedent for how law‑enforcement agencies address gender bias.
Community members and advocacy groups are watching the case closely, noting its potential impact on recruitment, retention, and the overall culture of the department. As the lawsuit proceeds, the plaintiffs hope their experience will encourage other officers who face similar discrimination to come forward.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
