Employment lawsuits paint grim picture for female officers in East Bay law enforcement

At least five women have filed employment lawsuits against the Concord Police Department and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in recent months alleging discrimination, retaliation and widespread misconduct in the workplace.

Plaintiffs Amy Hendricks, Harley Valadez and Kristen Krieger are all former officers with the Concord Police Department and Beth Long still works there. According to their attorney David Ratner, these women were denied promotions on the basis of gender on dozens of occasions — often in situations where the promotion was given to less qualified male personnel.