A Crawfordsville Police Department detective has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Crawfordsville, specifically the police department.

Detective Sgt. Lori Ford filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis last week.

The complaint notes "employment discrimination based upon sex, a hostile work environment and retaliation by the defendant."

Ford, a 17-year veteran of the department and detective for six years, said in a complaint to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission she has been continually harassed.

"On or around Sept. 15, 2004, I complained to the City that I was being discriminated against because of my sex," Ford said in the complaint. "Specifically, I complained about Chief (Kurt) Knecht. Chief Knecht has harassed and continued to harass me, which has resulted in a hostile work environment. Chief Knecht has also continued to discriminate against me because of my sex and has retaliated against me because of my initial complaint to the City."

A phone call to Knecht was not returned.

The EEOC issued a dismissal of the charge in November 2006 and did not take a stand, according to court records. However, notice was given of right to sue.

The suit, filed Feb. 20, indicated seven instances between August 2004 and February 2006 leading Ford to file the complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and EEOC.

Attempts to talk with Ford were unsuccessful.

Crawfordsville Mayor John Zumer is on vacation this week and not available for comment. Attempts to reach City Attorney David Peebles were unsuccessful as well.