Transgender officer sues Oklahoma City Police Department

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A transgender Oklahoma City police officer is suing the department for sexual harassment. <br/><br/>Paula Schonauer is on paid leave while she and the department try to settle the

Tuesday, December 28th 2004, 1:39 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A transgender Oklahoma City police officer is suing the department for sexual harassment.

Paula Schonauer is on paid leave while she and the department try to settle the dispute.

The lawsuit filed last Monday doesn't discuss specific incidents and her attorney declined to discuss details while negotiations are under way.

Schonauer also filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in September even though she hasn't been fired.

Friesen says the lawsuits are to prevent the statute of limitations from expiring and as a precaution in case no agreement can be reached with the department.

The 38-year-old Schonauer is a veteran of the first Gulf War who decided in 2001 to become a woman and change names from Paul to Paula.

Police officials said at the time she would be treated no differently if she continued performing well on the job.