Sex discrimination lawsuit from female Des Moines police employees settles on eve of trial

Des Moines intends to settle a lawsuit alleging decades of sex discrimination by the Des Moines Police Department, according to court filings.

The lawsuit, by three female officers and one nonsworn female employee, was filed in 2021 and was scheduled to go to trial next week. But on Monday, the parties filed a joint notice to the court that they had "reached agreement for resolution" of the case.

The court filings do not specify the amount or terms of the settlement. City Manager Scott Sanders said in a statement that specific terms are still being finalized, after which they will be presented to the City Council for approval.

Backstory: These female Des Moines Police Department employees love their jobs. They say that's why they're suing.

Plaintiffs' attorney Jill Zwagerman said her clients are pleased to resolve the case.

"We are finalizing the details of the agreement, but we are hopeful that this settlement will implement much needed change within the police department and the city," she said in a statement.

In court filings, the women alleged repeated instances of sexual harassment and discrimination from male colleagues and superiors, in some cases dating back to the 1990s. A judge in February ruled that many of the older allegations were too distant, and too far removed from other claims, to show evidence of "continuing violations" of the women's rights. But he denied judgment for the city, finding the women should be able to present allegations dating back to 2016 to the jury at trial.

The city in court filings had admitted some officers had engaged in "inappropriate conduct" but said the city had responded appropriately to cases brought to its attention.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines police sex discrimination lawsuit to settle, city says