NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The highest ranking female officer in the history of the North Providence Police Department has filed a complaint alleging that she was subjected to abusive comments by superiors.
Lt. Diana Perez filed a petition with the state Human Rights Commission last month that also states that she routinely experienced discrimination based on her gender.
Among her claims, Perez recalls an embarrassing moment where Acting Chief Christopher Pelagio allegedly quoted Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 hit “Baby Got Back” in reference to her backside. When confronted later, Perez says Pelagio told her she was no longer part of the “inner circle.”
Mayor Charles Lombardi and Pelagio were among the defendants named in the complaint.
Pelagio declined to comment. Lombardi says he will fire Pelagio if Perez’s claims are proven true.
