Margaret Leitz, a policewoman from Campbell, became a hero during the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting. She bravely ran toward the gunfire, rescuing a woman shot in the head and helping others escape by lifting them over a five-foot fence.
For her bravery, Campbell’s Police Chief, Gary Berg, honored her with a medal of valor.
Now, Leitz is suing the City of Campbell, its police department, and Chief Berg.
She claims there was ongoing sexual discrimination and harassment after she suffered an injury while saving lives at the festival.
The city and the police department have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit filed on Monday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Leitz says that after she joined the department in 2012, her mostly male colleagues were warned that she was a “walking sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen.”
She felt unfairly judged because she was a heterosexual woman, even though she was in a monogamous relationship at the time.
As she advanced in her career to roles such as a field-training officer, award-winning hostage negotiator, crime-scene technician, homicide detective, and supervisor, she alleges that the sexism remained a constant issue.
Her ability to shoot and her willingness to engage with suspects were often questioned, with supervisors appearing at incidents solely to critique her tactics.
Leitz shared in a recent interview that she always knew law enforcement was a male-dominated field and expected challenges.
Despite these difficulties, she remained determined to excel, making over 800 arrests in her ten-year career.
She advocated for changes like introducing bullet-proof vests designed for female officers and adjustable guns for those smaller in size, noting that she stands at five-foot-three and weighs 125 pounds.
Leitz claims she often felt pressure to not stir up trouble, but she was vocal about the unequal treatment of women in the department.
The common response, according to her, was that things would remain as they had always been.
In her lawsuit, Leitz alleges that department members repeatedly made inappropriate remarks.
In one incident in 2014, a newly promoted sergeant approached her, mentioning he had heard about her relationship status.
He suggested that it was normal for female officers to have relationships with male colleagues or even strangers they met on the job.
The sergeant warned her against behaviors that could make the city look bad.
Leitz also claims that when she was promoted to a supervisory position, some colleagues remarked that it was only because she was a woman and fit a diversity requirement.
In July 2019, Leitz was assigned to the Gilroy Garlic Festival as part of a multi-agency police team. When the shooting started, she was the first officer to respond, rushing into danger.
She assisted a bleeding woman and helped several people over a fence, ensuring their safety. Unfortunately, during the chaos, she re-injured her wrist, a previous injury from a 2013 chase.
Despite her efforts, Leitz faced a struggle for care. She claims that for over two years, her requests for medical help were denied.
During that time, she continued to work in violent situations, worsening her injury. After more than two years, she finally underwent surgery.
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The lawsuit highlights that, unlike her, three male officers quickly received medical treatment for their injuries sustained during workouts.
Following her injury, Leitz was “medically retired,” but she alleges the city later accused her of fraud over her worker’s compensation claims. However, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office dismissed the charges, finding the accusations baseless.
Leitz, who now works part-time as a flight attendant due to her wrist injury, claims the city and police department are blocking her official retirement, preventing her from accessing state benefits.
She reports that she receives no pay, borrows money to manage her expenses, and deals with PTSD, suffering frequent panic attacks.
Her lawsuit accuses Campbell and its police department of discrimination based on sex and disability, harassment, and retaliation. She seeks compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other damages.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.