WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS — A former Warrensville Heights police officer who made headlines around the world after she posted a video on Facebook regarding the shooting death of Alton Sterling in Louisiana has lost a lawsuit she filed against the city following her termination.
Nakia Jones worked for the Warrensville Heights Police Department from 2002 until she was fired in 2017 for misuse of sick time hours, according to the city.
In July 2016, Jones posted a video to her Facebook page that received world-wide attention, garnering more than 8 million views. In the video, she says she was hurt and outraged after seeing the aftermath of what happened in Louisiana and the backlash against police.
She called on officers who may be racist to take off their uniforms and pleads for people, especially young African-Americans, to put down their guns.
She wasn’t reprimanded by the city for the video. She lost her job the following year.
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Jones filed a federal lawsuit claiming that she was terminated because of the video. The lawsuit stated that the department violated her First Amendment rights and as a female officer she faced gender discrimination. Additionally it stated she was dealt intentional emotional distress while on the job.
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Jones had been on an extended medical leave for a car accident and on the day she was scheduled to return to work she called off and to Philadelphia for a paid speaking event.
In a press release, the city said Jones was fired for the following:
- Violating several standards of conduct, including exercising common sense and affirmatively promoting the organization’s values.
- Maintaining acceptable attendance and availability for work and dishonesty or untruthfulness.
- Violating the ethical standards of the city and her oath of office.
“We’ve always felt that once all the facts of the case were presented, the city’s position would be vindicated and the claim made against the city would be proven frivolous,” said Mayor Bradley Sellers. “We will continue to serve Warrensville Heights and its citizens to the best of our abilities.”
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