PHOENIX, AZ — A Phoenix police commander has filed a lawsuit alleging top police leaders condoned discrimination and retaliation.
Commander Amy Breitzman filed the lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court last Friday after she made prior complaints made to the city’s Equal Opportunity Department and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Breitzman, who has worked at the Phoenix Police Department for nearly 30 years, is alleging sex-based discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation.
ABC15 is committed to finding the answers you need and holding those accountable.
Submit your news tip to Investigators@abc15.com
According to the lawsuit, Breitzman had made complaints against Assistant Chief Nick DiPonzio “alleging that he treated women differently.”
Her legal claim said DiPonzio tried to deprive her of her last promotion saying she was “not fit,” even though she had done better than any other applicant.
According to the court filing, when Breitzman asked another assistant chief to do something about DiPonzio’s behavior, his “inaction perpetuated the gender discrimination and retaliation.”
Breitzman also claims she was later “removed from her position in the chief’s office” and was “bypassed and undermined… in front of her direct reports and peers.”
ABC15 first aired a story about Breitzman’s discrimination complaints in April. At that time, her lawyer questioned why draft City Equal Opportunity Department investigative reports, including on that sustained part of her complaint, were never finalized.
At that time, a city spokesperson told ABC15 that the Phoenix Police Department is “committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace for all our employees.”
The city also said a third-party investigator had been brought in to finish the Breitzman complaint case, but four months later, the commander’s lawyer said she had not been contacted nor received a final report.
Got a news tip? You can reach Melissa by email at melissa.blasius@abc15.com or call 602-803-2506. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @MelissaBlasius or Facebook.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this article stated that the lawsuit was filed in federal court. It has since been updated to clarify that the lawsuit was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court.
