Lawsuit accuses J’can NYPD chief of sexual harassment, retaliation
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:59 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
NEW YORK:
Assistant Chief Ruel Stephenson, the highest-ranking Jamaican officer in the New York Police Department (NYPD), is facing allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation from a female subordinate in a lawsuit filed last Friday in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Lt Mariela Matos-Leo, who works at the 24th Precinct, which is located in the same building as Manhattan North, has filed the lawsuit against Stephenson and the NYPD.
Mariela Matos-Leo alleged that Stephenson sexually harassed her in 2022 and then tried to derail her career after she rebuffed his advances.
In a May 2023 meeting, Stephenson reportedly told Matos-Leo that if he had the power, he would fire her because her “work is mediocre”, the lawsuit said.
“It got to the point where people recognised me,” she said. “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 Harbour Club in New Rochelle, Stephenson held a “best dressed” contest at a Christmas party, offering a US$700 prize and targeting female subordinates.
“There was no prize for best dressed man,” said Matos-Leo of the holiday party contest.
The lawsuit states that Stephenson, who commands Manhattan North and was one of the judges of the contest, attempted multiple times before the event to persuade Matos-Leo to attend. She chose to skip the event, citing that Stephenson’s persistent invitations made her feel as though he had “his sights on making her the conquest” of the event, she said in court papers.
Matos-Leo alleges that after she didn’t attend, Stephenson’s behaviour towards her changed dramatically. She claims he belittled her at meetings, calling her incompetent in front of colleagues. According to the lawsuit, one sergeant allegedly told Matos-Leo, this is “how the Chief gets when he is rejected”.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
This lawsuit is not Matos-Leo’s first. In 2019, the 19-year veteran of the department claimed retaliation by other employees after filing a criminal complaint against her boyfriend, a fellow officer. That case was later settled.
In her current lawsuit, Matos-Leo is seeking unspecified damages.
The city’s Law Department has stated they will review the litigation once it is served.
An NYPD spokesperson emphasised that the department does not tolerate sexual harassment and is committed to maintaining a respectful work environment. The department also offers various reporting options for employees, including anonymous submissions, the spokesperson added.
Stephenson, the first Jamaican in NYPD history to be appointed as borough commander, has made significant contributions throughout his career.
Born in Clarendon, he attended Race Course Primary before migrating to the US at age 10. He joined the NYPD in June 1995, starting as a patrol officer in the 70th Precinct. Over the years, he served in numerous precincts and bureaus, earning promotions from sergeant to assistant chief.
Speaking with The Gleaner when he was made assistant chief, Stephenson said the appointment would put him in a position to affect how the NYPD interacts with the Jamaican community as there would now be someone in a position of authority who is sensitive to the cultural norms of the community and speaks its language.
“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,” he said at the time.
He said that members of the community are more at ease with the police when they have someone relatable to the community in charge.