Capitol Police Officer Sues Over 4 Promotions, Alleging Anti-Diversity Bias
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16
Capitol Police Officer Sues Over 4 Promotions, Alleging Anti-Diversity Bias
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16
Summary
Carneysha Mendoza, a 24-year Capitol Police veteran and Jan. 6 responder, sued the agency in federal court Wednesday, alleging racial and gender discrimination after she was denied one deputy chief and three assistant chief jobs.
Her complaint says the department under Chief Michael G. Sullivan moved to roll back diversity in leadership, including disbanding its equity and inclusion office in August 2025 and ordering its materials destroyed.
Mendoza, a Black woman and Army veteran who has supervised units in four of the force’s six bureaus, says two of the posts went to officers with serious disciplinary records, including a white male officer punished for on-duty drunk driving and overtime fraud.
The lawsuit adds to a run of discrimination claims against the Capitol Police, which public reports and court records show have paid nearly $1 million since 2022 to settle employment cases.