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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 14, 2001
1999-July 2000
Three female police officers file state and federal claims of sexual discrimination and harassment. Two male officers file union grievances alleging they are victims on a "hit list" of officers targeted for firing based on their age and willingness to speak out against the police administration.
Police Chief David Milchan resigns after he is suspended without pay pending a termination hearing. City Manager Jerry Mudd appoints police Lt. Dorene Thomas interim chief, bypassing two senior officers, Capts. Bob Hempel and Mike Vetter.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rules that Pinellas Park police discriminated against Shirley Atherton Marsh and twice retaliated against her because she filed discrimination complaints against the city.
City appoints Tampa attorney D. Robert Lewis to investigate allegations of a "hit list."
Mudd appoints Thomas as permanent chief. In climate survey, police say they are underpaid and overworked and believe their supervisors are unqualified and manage by fear and retaliation.
A judge orders the city to turn over morale surveys to the St. Petersburg Times. Handwritten comments show officers do not trust many of their sergeants or the department's two captains. Officers also say they are understaffed and underequipped.
Donna Saxer and Cynthia Martin file a federal lawsuit against the city claiming they were discriminated against because they are women.
Results of "hit list" investigation released.