NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — A Bristol County jury has awarded $127,000 in damages and lost wages to a former New Bedford police detective who alleged she faced retaliation after reporting gender-based mistreatment within the department, The New Bedford Light reported.
Macaila Saunders, who joined the New Bedford Police Department in 2004, filed a lawsuit in 2021 claiming gender discrimination and retaliation, according to the report. While the discrimination claim was dismissed by agreement, the jury ruled in favor of Saunders on the retaliation claim against Assistant Deputy Chief Scott Carola and the City of New Bedford.
Saunders alleged Carola created a hostile work environment in 2018 and 2019 and targeted her in part due to her lack of personal interaction with him outside of work. She also claimed former Chief Joseph Cordeiro and former Deputy Chief
Adelino Sousa failed to act on her concerns, though both were dropped as defendants before trial, according to the report.
The jury awarded $50,000 for emotional distress and $77,000 in lost wages. Saunders, who now works as a school resource officer in Swansea, said she hopes to return to the New Bedford department and resume her work as a detective.
Her attorney, Christopher Trundy, said they will seek reinstatement under provisions in anti-discrimination law, according to the report. He criticized the city for failing to retain a “first-rate homicide detective.”
City Solicitor Eric Jaikes said the city is reviewing legal options and declined further comment.
A final ruling on the case will be issued by a Superior Court judge, who could modify the jury’s award.
Saunders said her decision to pursue the case was about more than personal justice.
“I did this not just for myself, but for the women behind me... They should be able to go into work every day and just have to worry about being a good police officer.”
