WECT INVESTIGATES: Wilmington police officer sues department, alleging civil rights violations

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A Wilmington police officer has sued the department and the city, alleging civil rights violations. The lawsuit was filed in federal court earlier this month.

In the employment discrimination complaint, Cpl. Melanie Medlock alleges she was suspended, demoted and retaliated against because she’s a gay woman. Her suit asks for her supervisor position back and compensation for pay she alleges she lost, among other relief.

A spokesperson for the city of Wilmington didn’t comment on the complaint, saying the city hasn’t been formally served with any federal court documents initiated by Medlock.

Medlock’s complaint shows in May, she received a right to sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and had to file her lawsuit within 90 days of receipt. She had filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC earlier this year, according to court documents.

Her lawsuit alleges discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Medlock alleges that discrimination included not being promoted, retaliation, reassignment, suspension and hostile workplace treatment. That discrimination has taken place since 2024 and is still occurring, according to the complaint.

“I believe the City subjected me to disparate treatment because of my sex and sexual orientation and retaliated against me for raising complaints and concerns regarding discriminatory and workplace conduct. These actions have materially affected my employment, professional standing, leadership responsibilities, promotional opportunities, and working conditions,” the complaint reads.

According to the suit, that discrimination came after Medlock raised concerns about bullying, conduct, safety issues and professionalism inside the Wilmington Police Department. In the complaint, she says, to her knowledge, those allegations were never formally investigated.

Medlock was then accused of sexual harassment after sharing a picture with a colleague that, according to the suit, wasn’t sexual in nature. After a human resources investigation initially found that complaint was unsubstantiated, WPD internal affairs looked into the allegation, which resulted in disciplinary action against Medlock, the complaint says.

“During the Internal Affairs investigation, I was questioned about my same-sex romantic relationship and my partner in ways that I believe were unrelated to the underlying allegation,” the suit says. “I believe my conduct and interactions with female colleagues were sexualized and interpreted differently because I am a gay woman.”

After that, Medlock alleges she was subjected to “multiple investigations,” removed from her Women’s Self-Defense instructor role, demoted from her Crisis Negotiation Team Commander position, excluded from team communications, denied promotional advancement to sergeant, and was “treated disrespectfully” by colleagues.

WECT reached out to Medlock, who is representing herself in the case, multiple times this week for additional details and has not gotten a response.

The lawsuit asks for declaratory relief finding WPD violated her Title VII rights, injunctive relief preventing future discrimination and retaliation, restoration of Medlock’s professional standing and leadership responsibilities, compensation for lost wages, compensatory damages for emotional distress and attorneys fees if she obtains counsel in the future.