KSP Captain’s sex discrimination case reaches $600k settlement

Kentucky State Police settled a sex discrimination and retaliation lawsuit for $600,000 just before a jury was set to deliberate the case, bringing an end to a 3.5-year legal battle that will also force the plaintiff to retire.

Captain Jennifer Sandlin sued KSP claiming she was repeatedly passed over for promotions that went to male officers, then faced retaliation for taking legal action. As part of the settlement reached Thursday, Sandlin must retire at the end of January and will receive reinstatement of 12 weeks of sick time pay.

Sandlin alleged KSP leadership discriminated against her because she was a woman with children. She claimed she was passed over for the position of major four times.

Before the settlement was announced, Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd told attorneys he hoped the case would prompt KSP to make some changes. During trial, Sandlin’s legal team noted that of more than 900 sworn KSP personnel, fewer than 25 are women — approximately 3%.

Credit: Leigh Searcy/LEX18