San Diego police officer announces lawsuit against SDPD

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- San Diego Police Officer Stephanie Cockrell held a press conference Thursday morning outside the San Diego Police Department, announcing plans to file a civil lawsuit against the department for systemic sexism, discrimination and harassment.

In 2021, Cockrell reported her police officer ex-husband, Tyler Cockrell, for having an affair with a subordinate which is against department policy. Since then, Cockrell claims she’s been faced with ridicule and harassment and even subject to termination.

“I fought alone, kept my head down, hoped it would go away. It’s getting worse, it won’t stop,” said Cockrell.

Cockrell’s attorney, Emilia Arutunian, said Cockrell’s ex-husband and his girlfriend accused her of bullying and harassing them and attempted to file a restraining order against Cockrell which was denied by the court.

Arutunian says her client’s ex-husband didn’t face consequences from the affair, but Cockrell was recommended for termination by the former Police Chief David Nisleit. 

“The investigation was biased,” said Arutunian.

Arutunian says current San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl reversed that suggestion for termination which led to rumors spreading around the department of an affair between them.

“Stephanie’s reinstatement did not bring closure, instead she became the target of sexist and degrading rumors that she had an affair with Chief Wahl that she traded sex for leniency,” she said.  “There was no affair. The damage was and continues to be devastating to this day.”

“Stephanie’s story is about more than just one woman, it’s about ending sexism and retaliation,” she added. “That’s why we are here, and we are willing to fight until its achieved.”

The San Diego Police Department did not provide a statement, saying it does not comment on pending litigation.