An officer in the Louisville, Kentucky police department this week filed suit in a Kentucky federal district court seeking damages for the Department's four-month suspension of him. The suspension was in effect during an extended investigation of the officer's praying outside an abortion clinic while in uniform, but before he went on duty for the day. He was ultimately cleared of any violation of rules. The complaint (full text) in Schrenger v. Shields, (WD KY, filed 10/4/2021) alleges violations of the 1st and 14th amendments as well as of Title VII, and state civil rights laws. It also alleges a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. WDRB News, reporting on the lawsuit, says:
EMW staff said the officer intimidated patients and medical staff while wearing his uniform and gun.
Surveillance video from the clinic showed Schrenger in a marked police cruiser. He marched outside of the clinic for approximately 45 minutes, at one point holding a sign that read "pray to end abortion."
