Ex-Police Chief in Michigan Sues City Over Allegations of Gender, Height Discrimination
For the second time in her law enforcement career, a police officer is suing her former employer for height and gender discrimination after being fired.
Destinee Bryce filed a federal lawsuit on Aug. 4 in the U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan against the city of Stanton and City Manager Jacob VanBoxel alleging gender and height discrimination in violation of 42 USC 1983, the Fourteenth Amendment and the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit alleges that Bryce is a member of a protected class based on her gender and height (she is 4-foot-7-inches tall).
Bryce was hired as a Stanton police officer in July 2016 she and was promoted to police chief in September 2020, succeeding the late Joe Patino. Bryce was placed on administrative leave by VanBoxel on Aug. 2, 2021, and fired shortly thereafter.
