
LAPD Detective Wins Settlement in Harassment Lawsuit
Cecilia Cleveland v. City of Los Angeles involves a high-profile employment dispute within the LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division (GND). Cleveland, a veteran Latina detective with 33 years of unblemished service, alleged that the arrival of Captain Lillian Carranza in 2021 marked the beginning of a targeted campaign of "pencil whipping"—the practice of accumulating trivial disciplinary claims to undermine a career. The complaint detailed a hostile work environment where Cleveland was allegedly forced to move her desk into a K-9 scent room contaminated by animal waste and subjected to intense scrutiny over minor infractions. After facing her first negative performance review in three decades and losing her hazardous pay bonus, Cleveland sued for race, age, and gender discrimination, as well as whistleblower retaliation. The City maintained that its actions were based on legitimate departmental policy; however, the parties reached an unconditional settlement in June 2024.


