LAPD Sergeant’s Plea to Overturn Misconduct Findings & Suspension Gains Momentum

A veteran Los Angeles police sergeant is taking legal action against the city for her three-day suspension related to alleged misconduct, including an off-duty kissing incident with a department employee in 2019.

Sgt. Darcy French filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking to overturn the decision of the Board of Rights in June, which supported the allegations against her. Chief Michel Moore, who approved the decision, is also named in the legal action.

The City Attorney’s Office has not yet provided a comment on the petition since it was brought on September 18.

According to court papers from French’s attorneys, the Board of Rights found her guilty in June of the kissing incident as well as making inappropriate comments to department employees.

However, no specific details about the events of 2019 were provided. The board also recommended a three-day suspension for Sgt. French.

The petition claims that the Board of Rights’ decision, including French’s suspension, lacked sufficient evidence and did not support the findings of misconduct.

The petition further argues that the board failed to acknowledge that the statute of limitations had been violated. A supervisor who was aware of the alleged misconduct in 2019 did not initiate any investigation or disciplinary action.

Furthermore, the petition alleges that Chief Moore neglected his legal duties under the city charter, resulting in a violation of French’s right to due process.

Sgt. French has been with the Los Angeles Police Department since 1998. This is not her first legal action against the city. On February 28, she filed a separate lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming harassment after she reported the dissemination of sexist images by other LAPD members. She also alleges that she faced efforts to suspend and demote her after coming forward.