Ex-Detective Files Harassment Claim

A former detective for the Simi Valley Police Department has filed a $100,000 claim against the city, charging that she was a victim of sexual discrimination and sexual harassment during her 11 years as an officer.

“Throughout my employment, I was subjected to sexual discrimination and sexual harassment,” Debbra J. Accardi, 40, stated in the claim that was filed Dec. 23.

Accardi, who retired from the force in August, said Tuesday that male officers began harassing her when she came to work for the department on Nov. 4, 1980.

“I accepted a lot in the beginning, feeling I had to pay my dues,” said the Moorpark resident.

The harassment included lewd comments, such as accusations that she had been promoted after “sleeping with my supervisors,” she said Tuesday.

After about four years on the job, she began complaining about harassment to her supervisors, Accardi said. She said she believes these complaints led to her being treated unfairly when she dislocated her knee on the job about three years ago.

As a result of the injury, she cannot do the “heavy stair-climbing, stooping, heavy lifting” that are required of officers on active beats, she said. But it did not significantly interfere with the desk job she had at the time of the injury, she said.

Last March, department heads told Accardi that she must either retire or be classified as being 100% physically fit, she said.

“I was given an ultimatum,” Accardi said, adding that she does not want to return to the department but hopes that her claim will prevent harassment of other female officers.

Simi Valley Personnel Director Laura Heron would not comment on Accardi’s case, except to say that her retirement is classified as being due to her disability.