Overview
- Stephanie Cockrell, a 13-year SDPD veteran, filed two claims alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation, including one with California's Civil Rights Department under state fair-employment law.
- She says rumors falsely accused her of trading sexual favors to Chief Scott Wahl after he reversed her recommended termination, and an anonymous letter to the City Council echoed the allegation.
- Cockrell’s claim describes daily taunts, denial of promotions and an Internal Affairs interrogation in January about an alleged affair, which she and her attorneys deny occurred.
- City records show $37,000 was paid for an outside investigation involving Wahl, but SDPD and the City Attorney’s Office have not released the findings, and the mayor has expressed confidence in the chief.
- Court filings show her ex-husband is seeking a restraining order and reported finding hidden cameras and a tracker; a subpoena confirmed her purchase of recording devices, and prosecutors declined charges.