San Diego police officer Stephanie Cockrell, a 13-year veteran of the department, announced Thursday her intent to sue the SDPD for sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
Standing with her attorney, Emilia Arutunian, Cockrell said the harassment began in 2021 after she reported that her husband — also an SDPD officer — was having an affair with a subordinate deputy officer. According to her complaint, the department’s internal investigation into the affair was “inadequate, incomplete and rushed,” and allegedly compromised by conflicts of interest.
Cockrell claims that instead of being protected, she became the subject of rumors, false allegations, and multiple internal investigations, including accusations of having a sexual relationship with current Chief Scott Wahl — claims she and her attorney say were fabricated and unsubstantiated.
“I’ve fought alone,” Cockrell said at an emotional press conference. “I kept my head down, and I was hoping this would go away, and it just keeps getting worse. I just need it to stop.”
Her estranged husband, Tyler Cockrell, has pushed back, filing a domestic violence restraining order request last year and alleging harassment and surveillance. He maintains he has provided evidence to support his claims.
This is not Cockrell’s first time linked to a lawsuit. In 2016, she was named in a case involving allegations of an affair with another officer, though she was never criminally charged or disciplined.
The San Diego Police Department confirmed Cockrell is currently on administrative duty in the neighborhood policing division but declined to comment on the pending lawsuit.
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