The Manhattan Supreme Court received a complaint alleging sexual harassment and retaliation from a female colleague against Assistant Chief Ruel Stephenson, the top Jamaican officer in the NYPD.
Stephenson and the NYPD are being sued by Lt. Mariela Matos-Leo, who works at the 24th Precinct, which is housed in the same building as Manhattan North.
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In a May 2023 meeting, Mariela Matos-Leo claimed that Stephenson had sexually harassed her in 2022 and then attempted to ruin her career when she rejected his advances. According to the complaint, Stephenson informed Matos-Leo that he would dismiss her if he had the authority to do so since her “work is mediocre.”
Matos-Leo stated, “It got to the point where people recognized me.” Adding, “Everyone knew he would take any chance to drag me through the mud.”
After that, Matos-Leo began putting in for transfers to various other units.
Matos-Leo claims Stephenson’s alleged retaliation caused her to make less than male lieutenants and cost her as much as US$1.7 million in lost pension benefits, the lawsuit alleges.
She further claims that in December 2023 at Glen Island Harbor Club in New Rochelle, Stephenson held a “best dressed” contest at a Christmas party, offering a US$700 prize and targeting female subordinates.
Regarding the Christmas party competition, Matos-Leo stated, “There was no prize for the best-dressed man.”
According to the lawsuit, Stephenson, who oversees Manhattan North and served as one of the contest judges, made many attempts before the event to get Matos-Leo to come. She decided not to go, stating in court documents that she felt Stephenson had “his sights on making her the conquest” of the occasion because of his repeated invitations.
Matos-Leo claims that Stephenson’s treatment of her changed significantly after she failed to show up. She says he called her inept in front of coworkers and denigrated her during meetings. According to the complaint, one sergeant reportedly informed Matos-Leo, that this is “how the Chief gets when he is rejected”.
Matos-Leo has filed lawsuits before. The 19-year veteran of the agency filed a criminal complaint against her partner, a fellow cop, in 2019, alleging retribution from other staff members. Later, that case was resolved.
Matos-Leo is suing for an undisclosed amount of money.
Once served, the lawsuit will be reviewed by the city’s law department, according to their statement.
A representative for the NYPD emphasized that the agency is dedicated to upholding a respectful workplace and does not accept sexual harassment. According to the spokeswoman, the agency also provides staff with several reporting alternatives, including anonymous submissions.
Throughout his tenure, Stephenson, the first Jamaican to be appointed borough commander in NYPD history, has made noteworthy accomplishments.
He attended Race Course Primary after being born in Clarendon and arrived in the US at the age of 10. Since joining the NYPD in June 1995, he has served as a patrol officer in the 70th Precinct. Over the years, he made his way from sergeant to assistant chief in several precincts and organizations.
When Stephenson was appointed assistant chief, he told The Gleaner that he would be able to influence how the NYPD engages with the Jamaican community because there would now be a person in a position of authority who understands the community’s cultural norms and speaks its language.
He noted, “My hard work and perseverance paid off. I am now in a position to effect change coming out of the police policies that affect our community in a fair and impartial way.”
When there is a community-relatable person in charge, he claimed, people feel more comfortable around the cops.
