Opinion ID: 2766852
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Formal Investigation and Discipline

Text: A few weeks after filing her OPS complaint, Sturdivant learned that OPS had not yet begun a formal investigation and had not retrieved and preserved the text messages and the photograph on her cell phone, even though OPS is supposed to investigate sexual harassment complaints immediately. Sturdivant told OPS that if it did not start the formal investigation by assigning her case a control number, she would call an attorney. OPS started the formal investigation on July 1, 2010, about three weeks after her OPS complaint was filed. During the interim, there were no further text messages from Ludwig. Because she felt OPS was not taking her complaint seriously, Sturdivant called Deputy Chief Shawn Jones. Deputy Chief Jones called OPS to inquire about Sturdivant’s complaint, and OPS told him that “it’s just [Sturdivant], she’ll get over it.” During the OPS investigation, Ludwig did not deny sending Sturdivant the texts and photograph. In January 2011, disciplinary proceedings against Ludwig began, but then were postponed so that OPS could interview additional witnesses. 5 Case: 14-11791 Date Filed: 01/06/2015 Page: 6 of 13 Disciplinary proceedings concluded in late March 2011, and Ludwig was found guilty of failing to follow directives, namely, the City’s sexual harassment policy. On April 7, 2011, almost ten months after Sturdivant filed her OPS complaint, Ludwig was suspended for ten days and restricted from accessing the headquarters building where Sturdivant worked without prior approval. Ludwig’s discipline was in accordance with the City’s sexual harassment policy, which called for disciplinary action ranging from a ten-day suspension to dismissal for an employee’s first offense.