Bakersfield Employment Lawyers Representing Police Officers
Free Case Evaluation
$2 Billion
in Personal Injury Results
$150 Million
in Employment Law Results
for First Responders
Helping law enforcement officers stand up to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
As a police officer, you’re trained to serve and protect. You face danger head-on, work long hours, and deal with some of society’s toughest situations. But when you’re being mistreated by your own department (discriminated against, harassed, and retaliated against for speaking up), it’s a different kind of battle. It’s one you shouldn’t have to fight alone.
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we stand with the men and women of law enforcement who face workplace injustice. Our Bakersfield employment lawyers represent police officers throughout Kern County who have been unfairly treated because of who they are, what they believe, or what they’ve witnessed. If your department has turned its back on you, we’re ready to help you fight back.
$13.1 Million
in a sex discrimination and retaliation case on behalf of two male LAPD police officers.
$11.56 Million
jury verdict in a discrimination and retaliation case for a former LAPD Bomb K9 trainer who reported violations of law.
$10.1 Million
verdict for a Captain at the Los Angeles Police Department, against the LAPD.
$5.8 Million
against the City of Los Angeles in a retaliation case on behalf of an LAPD officer.
$5.6 Million
for a Bomb Tech employee in a discrimination case.
Quick questions
- Representing police officers throughout Bakersfield
- What is discrimination in law enforcement?
- What is harassment within the police department?
- What is retaliation in the police department?
- Disability discrimination and return-to-duty issues
- Gender discrimination in police departments
- Pregnancy and family leave violations
- Why choose McNicholas & McNicholas for my employment case?
- What to expect during the legal process
- What are my rights as a Bakersfield police officer?
- What should I do if I’m being treated unfairly?
- Do you have a Bakersfield police officer employment lawyer near me?
Representing police officers throughout Bakersfield
Whether you work for the Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, or another local agency, our firm understands the unique structure and challenges of law enforcement employment. We represent:
- Patrol officers
- Detectives and investigators
- K-9 and SWAT team members
- Probationary and veteran officers
- Sergeants, lieutenants, and other supervisory ranks
- Officers working in schools, transit, corrections, or specialty units
Your rank, assignment, or years of service don’t protect you from unlawful treatment. Even strong officers with stellar records find themselves on the wrong end of unfair discipline, biased decisions, or hostile workplaces. We’ve seen it all, and we’ve helped officers across California recover.
What is discrimination in law enforcement?
Police departments are supposed to uphold the law, but some fail to follow it within their own ranks. Discrimination can come in many forms, from obvious acts like denying promotions to officers of color to more subtle patterns like scheduling, training exclusions, or biased disciplinary action. We’ve worked with law enforcement officers facing discrimination based on:
- Race or ethnicity
- Gender or gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Age (40 and over)
- Disability or medical condition
- Religion
- Pregnancy or family status
Discrimination may even be embedded in department culture. You may be told you’re being “too sensitive” or that “this is just how things are.” But bias is not part of the job, and when your civil rights are violated, you can take legal action.
What is harassment within the police department?
Police officers work in close quarters under pressure. That environment can lead to strong bonds, but it can also breed harassment. A few bad actors (or worse, a culture of silence) can make a department unbearable for officers who don’t fit the mold. Harassment we’ve seen in law enforcement includes:
- Sexual comments or advances from coworkers or supervisors
- Racial or homophobic slurs passed off as jokes
- Hazing or isolation of officers who report wrongdoing
- Mocking officers returning from injury, medical leave, or parental leave
- Retaliatory assignments or shifts to make someone “quit on their own”
Some officers endure this behavior for years because they don’t want to be labeled a troublemaker or jeopardize their careers. But you deserve better. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits workplace harassment, and we help officers enforce those rights.
What is retaliation in the police department?
One of the most common calls we get from police officers in Bakersfield is about retaliation. You report misconduct; maybe it’s excessive force, unethical practices, discrimination, or even harassment. Suddenly, your career path shifts:
- You’re moved to midnight shifts or remote beats
- You’re passed over for training or special assignments
- You’re hit with write-ups or internal affairs complaints
- You’re labeled “unreliable” or “not a team player”
- You’re pressured to resign or retire early
This is retaliation. It’s illegal, and you don’t have to accept it. We’ve represented whistleblowers and officers who’ve simply asked for fairness, only to face a full-court press from their own command staff. Our firm builds strong retaliation cases using patterns, documentation, and timelines to show how departments punish those who speak up.
Disability discrimination and return-to-duty issues
Police work is physically and emotionally demanding. Injuries on duty are common, and the road back to full health isn’t always smooth. Unfortunately, some departments make that road even harder.
We’ve seen officers:
- Denied light-duty assignments despite medical clearance
- Forced to undergo repeated or unnecessary “fitness for duty” exams
- Terminated while still on approved medical leave
- Harassed or mocked after returning from leave
- Pressured into disability retirement before they’re ready
Under California law, police departments must provide reasonable accommodations to officers with disabilities. That includes transitional duty, modified shifts, or extended leave when appropriate. If your department didn’t explore those options or used your injury as a way to push you out, we may be able to file a disability discrimination claim on your behalf.
Gender discrimination in police departments
Women in law enforcement face a particular set of challenges. Despite progress, many departments, including in Bakersfield, still operate under outdated, male-dominated structures that marginalize female officers. We’ve helped women officers who were:
- Denied field training officer (FTO) or promotional opportunities
- Harassed by male colleagues or superiors
- Written up for conduct tolerated in male counterparts
- Pushed out or penalized during or after pregnancy
- Labeled as “difficult” or “emotional” for speaking out
Whether you’re the only woman in your unit or one of many, you deserve equal respect, opportunity, and protection from harassment. We’ve stood with female officers across California, and we’re prepared to stand with you, too.
Pregnancy and family leave violations
Balancing a law enforcement career with family life can be challenging, especially when departments fail to follow the law. California and federal statutes protect your right to take leave for pregnancy, childbirth, bonding, or family medical issues, and prohibit retaliation when you do. We’ve worked with officers who were:
- Denied accommodations during pregnancy
- Pressured to return from bonding leave early
- Demoted or reassigned after maternity or paternity leave
- Harassed for needing to pump or adjust schedules for childcare
- Disciplined for using leave guaranteed under the law
If you’ve been penalized for starting or caring for a family, you may have a claim. Our Bakersfield employment law attorneys can help you recover lost wages, protect your job, and restore your career path.
Why choose McNicholas & McNicholas for my employment case?
At McNicholas & McNicholas, we don’t just handle employment law. We handle first responder employment law. We understand the chain of command, the pressures of the job, and the fear of retaliation. We know how internal politics can destroy a good officer’s reputation, and how hard it can be to stand up to your own department.
When you hire us, you get:
- A law firm with decades of experience in police employment claims
- A deep understanding of Bakersfield’s police culture and structure
- Legal strategies tailored to law enforcement-specific environments
- Fierce advocates who fight for justice in and out of court
- A confidential and judgment-free space to share your story
We take cases throughout Kern County and California, and we’re ready to help you now.
What to expect during the legal process
We know it takes courage to speak up. That’s why our process is designed to be simple and safe.
- You contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
- We listen. You tell us what happened. We ask questions. No pressure, no judgment.
- We explain your legal options. If you have a case, we can break it down clearly.
- We build a plan. Whether it’s filing an internal complaint, a state agency charge, or a lawsuit, we guide every step.
- You stay protected. We help you document retaliation, protect your rights, and keep your career on track.
Most of our employment cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win or settle your case.
What are my rights as a Bakersfield police officer?
As a police officer in California, you have employment rights under both state and federal law:
- FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected categories.
- FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) and CFRA (California Family Rights Act) allow time off for medical and family reasons.
- Labor Code 1102.5 protects whistleblowers who report unlawful activity.
- The Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act provides due process protections for disciplinary investigations.
- ADA and California disability laws require reasonable accommodations for qualified officers with disabilities.
What should I do if I’m being treated unfairly?
Here’s what we recommend to any police officer facing discrimination or retaliation:
- Document everything. Keep notes, emails, texts, shift changes, and reviews.
- Report the issue internally. File with HR or IA if safe to do so.
- Stay professional. Don’t give your department an excuse to attack your credibility.
Then, call one of our Bakersfield police officer employment lawyers. The earlier you get legal advice, the stronger your case can be.
Do you have a Bakersfield police officer employment lawyer near me?
McNicholas & McNicholas has offices at 10866 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400, in Los Angeles. We also maintain offices in Santa Ana and Oakland. You can call us anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Talk to our experienced Bakersfield police employment lawyers today
If you’re a police officer in Bakersfield who’s been discriminated against, harassed, retaliated against, or wrongfully pushed out, call McNicholas & McNicholas today. We’re here to listen to and believe you, and we’re ready to fight for your rights. Your consultation is free and completely confidential. Let us help you get the justice and respect you deserve. Call our office or complete our contact form to learn more about how we can help.
List of Agencies We are Suing or Have Sued
- Berkeley PD
- Chula Vista PD
- Contra Costa Sheriff (Non-LEO/Employment)
- Culver City PD (Non-LEO)
- El Monte PD
- El Segundo PD
- Fremont PD
- Huntington Beach PD
- LA Co Sheriff
- LAPD
- Palo Alto PD
- Pomona PD
- Redondo Beach PD
- Riverside PD
- San Diego PD
- San Joaquin County Sheriff
- Santa Barbara County Sheriff
- Shasta County Sheriff
- Ukiah PD
- Walnut Creek PD
- Willits PD