Union City Police Officer Jacqueline Lewis is demanding $100,000 and an apology in a claim of gender discrimination in a September incident at the home of council member Helen Turner. Lewis filed papers Feb. 14 announcing her intent to sue.

The Feb. 14 ad litem notice stated Lewis' intent to file suit against the City of Union City and the Union City Police Department in an attempt to resolve the dispute without protracted litigation, the notice said. In all, Lewis is demanding $100,000, a written apology from Turner and Union City Police, the expungement of portions of her personnel record relating to the incident and a rescoring of a recent job performance evaluation.

Lewis' notice said she was dispatched to Turner's home Sept. 7 on a "suspicious television" call. She was not aware that it was Turner's residence, the notice said. Upon her arrival, Lewis asked Turner to "turn on the lights in the residence to ensure her and Ms. Turner's safety," the notice said. Lewis claims Turner asked her if she was afraid of the dark, adding that she did not know why there were "any women on the Union City Police Department because women police officers are scared to do their jobs." Lewis claims that Turner further stated that "the next time she calls for the police she is going to make sure she requests a male officer because female officers are afraid to do their jobs and should not be allowed on the force," the notice said. Lewis claims she completed her investigation and left the residence.

The notice said an investigation of the incident was conducted after Turner filed an informal complaint. Subsequent to the investigation, Lewis said she was required to apologize to Turner in writing, was placed in remedial training and closely monitored for 90 days and given a written evaluation. Despite assurances that the incident would not be held against the claimant, the notice reads, her most recent performance evaluation contained lower scores based exclusively on the incident. "Although the claimant received a maximum performance increase, the claimant's work history and record has been harmed," the report continued.

Contacted about the matter, Turner said she was unable to comment on the issue at the present time. City attorney Dennis Davenport said Tuesday that the mayor and council sent a letter to Lewis Feb. 16 stating their determination that there was no basis to compensate her.

Lewis is being represented by attorney Dexter M. Wimbish. Lewis was issued an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Notice of Right to Sue Within 90 Days on Nov. 12.