UPDATE: Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
Kentucky State Police settled a sex discrimination and retaliation lawsuit for $600,000 just before a jury was set to deliberate the case, bringing an end to a 3.5-year legal battle that will also force the plaintiff to retire.
Captain Jennifer Sandlin sued KSP claiming she was repeatedly passed over for promotions that went to male officers, then faced retaliation for taking legal action. As part of the settlement reached Thursday, Sandlin must retire at the end of January and will receive reinstatement of 12 weeks of sick time pay.
"It's been 3 and a half years. It's been a really tough battle, and you know I don't regret doing it, but it has taken a toll on my life," Sandlin said.
Sandlin alleged KSP leadership discriminated against her because she was a woman with children. She claimed she was passed over for the position of major four times.
According to court documents, when Sandlin sought a position in Frankfort, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett told her it would require significant "seat time" in Frankfort and suggested she discuss it with her husband. Sandlin documented in a journal that she felt pressured to convince leadership she could handle the role by explaining her husband was retired and her oldest child could drive.
The lawsuit also detailed an incident from 2005 when Sandlin was pregnant with her first child. She alleged a commander told her to bring verification of her pregnancy, saying some women might fake pregnancies to avoid road duty and then claim they miscarried.
"I didn't want to give up and I didn't want other women coming in to ever have to deal with that, and I hope that this case prevents that from happening again," Sandlin said.
Several jury members who spoke after court said they believed there needs to be a culture change at Kentucky State Police and that underlying bias exists within the agency. Another juror said he wasn't sure Sandlin's side proved there was sex discrimination but believed there was evidence of retaliation when Sandlin was denied requests to transfer to other KSP posts while some male troopers had their transfers approved.
During opening statements, attorneys for KSP defended the agency, saying Sandlin had support from current and previous commissioners.
"When you hear the rest of the story the scenario that's just been preached to you doesn't really hold water," Defense Attorney Peter Ervin said.
Before the settlement was announced, Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd told attorneys he hoped the case would prompt KSP to make some changes. During trial, Sandlin's legal team noted that of more than 900 sworn KSP personnel, fewer than 25 are women — approximately 3%.
"Judge Shepard is very astute in his observation, and he is correct because there are things that are going on within the ranks of KSP that are very troubling," said Thomas Clay, Sandlin's attorney.
This May would have marked Sandlin's 23rd year with Kentucky State Police. She described the outcome as bittersweet.
"I am going to miss being a Kentucky State Police captain. I mean, I've spent over half my life in the state police. My husband was a trooper and retired, and it's coming a lot sooner than I expected," Sandlin said.
Attorneys for KSP declined to comment after the settlement was reached.
Original Story:
A Kentucky State Police captain's claims of sex discrimination and retaliation have finally reached a courtroom after two years, with her attorney telling jurors that the evidence will show the agency discriminated against her because she is a woman.
Captain Jennifer Sandlin, a more than 20-year veteran of Kentucky State Police, claims she was passed over for promotions that were ultimately given to male officers. Her attorneys say she was more than qualified for these positions and was passed over for the position of major four times.
Sandlin's attorney Travis Lock told the jury that the evidence will demonstrate KSP's discrimination against his client based on her gender.
"The evidence will show KSP discriminated against Jennifer because she was a woman," Lock said.
However, the attorney representing Kentucky State Police told jurors to use their common sense, arguing that an educated man like KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett would not hold back women.
"When you hear the rest of the story the scenario that's just been preached to you doesn't really hold water," said Peter Ervin, attorney for KSP.
Sandlin alleges that KSP leadership discriminated against her because she is a woman and had children. According to a hand-written journal she kept, when she was pregnant with her first child in 2005, a commander told her to bring in verification of her pregnancy, saying some women may fake one to get off the road then say they miscarried.
She also claims that when she sought a position in Frankfort, a senior KSP official told her it would require a lot of "seat time" in Frankfort and that she should discuss it with her husband and let him know. Sandlin wrote that it felt like she had to convince the higher-up she could work there, explaining her husband was retired and her oldest child could drive.
In court, Sandlin's attorneys pointed out that of the over 900 sworn KSP personnel, less than 25 are women — approximately 3% of the force.
In a previous statement, the agency said KSP does not discriminate based on gender, age, race, sex or religion and follows the promotion guidelines set by the agency's policies and procedures.
Ultimately, a jury will decide if Sandlin's civil case has merit. Her attorneys believe the evidence will be overwhelming.
