Police Chief Sues Palmyra, Claims Gender Discrimination, Harassment

PALMYRA, NJ — Palmyra Police Chief Megan Campbell recently sued the borough, alleging hostile work environment, gender discrimination, harassment and unlawful retaliation, a lawsuit stated.

Palmyra's business administrator, a council member who also serves as public safety director and others who worked for or were representatives of the borough, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Campbell was hired by Palmyra in 2001 and held several positions with the department before being promoted to police chief in 2020, according to the lawsuit filed in June.

She alleged she received "severe and pervasive" treatment while working strictly because she was a woman, the lawsuit stated.

Campbell also claimed an acting lieutenant questioned her ability to serve as a lieutenant since "she was a new mother"and "he wasn’t sure she would be able to handle the late-night calls," the lawsuit stated.

She also alleged her salary as chief of police would never equal that of her predecessor because she was told she needed "to prove herself," according to the lawsuit. She also claimed some of the defendants repeatedly treated her in ways that violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

Neither Campbell nor Palmyra immediately responded to Patch's request for comment on Friday afternoon.

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