According to the digital edition of the Fall River Herald, New Bedford police officers have denied allegations made by a former female officer who filed a lawsuit last month for gender discrimination on July 16.

Former New Bedford police officer Macaila Saunders alleges three officers, including a former police chief, created a hostile workplace and engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation in 2018 and 2019.

Saunders alleges in her complaint that police Chief Cordeiro denied her transfer to another department as a form of retaliation.