BILLINGS
A Montana Highway Patrol trooper is alleging that she lost her sergeant’s stripes because of gender discrimination at the state agency. Sherrie Murphy said in a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau that she was “targeted, criticized and disciplined” by Highway Patrol t roopers and supervi sors because of her gender. The state Department of Justice says that the allegations are yet unproven. A state hearings officer in Helena will take testimony in March into the discrimination complaint f i led wi th the Mo n ta n a Huma n Ri g h t s Bureau. Murphy says supervisors launched a “relentless quest” to find fault with her work, according to a copy of the complaint received by The Billings Gazette. Murphy also alleges that the Highway Patrol is dominated by men with a practice of discriminating against the few female troopers on the force. Murphy is seeking reinstatement as a sergeant and back wages and benefits. In her complaint, she said that only one woman is among the 30 highest ranking officers. And out of roughly 170 patrol officers, only 10 are female. Her complaint was first investigated earlier this year, but was dismissed by an investigator who determined that Murphy had waited too long to file it. The Human Rights Commission overturned that decision in September, saying the state investigator failed to properly analyze the case. Documents show Murphy joined the Highway Patrol in 1991 and was promoted to sergeant in 2001. She was demoted in August 2007 after a review and approval of the action by At t o r n ey Ge n e r a l Mi ke McGrath. The report said The Highway Patrol cited her for not appropriately leading troopers under her command, not following directions mishandling personnel issues, and other issues. (AP)
