Nicole Rosenstiel, Ex-Officer And Oakland Raiders Cheerleader, Sues Vacaville Police Department For Harassment

Former Vacaville police officer Nicole Rosenstiel filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Vacaville and the Police Department for alleged sexual harassment while she was an officer, according to the Times-Herald.

Rosenstiel claimed the harassment stemmed from her appearance as well as her previous career as an Oakland Raiderette cheerleader. According to the suit, Rosenstiel experienced continuous harassment throughout her career with the department, which lasted from 2005 to 2009.

In one incident, a sergeant asked the crew for "a show of hands by those officers who wanted to see the plaintiff naked" during a shift change. In another incident, one officer told Rosenstiel that she had a "nice rack" in front of other officers, as reported by SFGate. Rosenstiel also claimed that fellow officers made snide remarks about her appearance and her career as a cheerleader, and posted her cheerleading picture with an inappropriate caption at the station.

"People just thought that it was okay to treat me like that," Rosenstiel told SFGate. "No one deserves to be treated that way."

Rosenstiel also alleged that another female officer, Sergeant Kim Humbert, deliberately injured her in a training exercise and bragged that she "kicked her a** and threw her around like a rag doll," according to the Daily Republic. Humbert also frequently referred to Rosenstiel as "Missy."

Inappropriate behavior came from supervisors as well, according to the suit. Allegedly, Rosenstiel's supervisor ordered her not to work out in the department gym because she would draw attention to herself.

Vacaville city spokesman Mark Mazzaferro said the complaint is without merit, and the city intends to fight it in court, according to CBS.

Rosenstiel has been on unpaid leave since 2009 and is seeking $1.5 million in damages.