Former College Park police chief files discrimination lawsuit against city

ShareAdd Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on GoogleATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — College Park’s former police chief has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming discrimination and unethical pressures from the city council forced her to resign.Connie Rogers, the first Black woman to hold the role in the city’s history, stepped down in December 2025 after taking office in 2022. The lawsuit accuses the city of discrimination based on her sexual orientation and retaliation. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: College Park police chief abruptly resignsRead the full lawsuit: In the suit, Rogers claims a councilwoman sought her removal because she’s married to another woman. She said the councilwoman and other city council members also asked her to take politically motivated actions, including rehiring a politically connected officer, approving arrest warrants for a political foe and writing a letter of support for the councilwoman’s husband after he was asked to leave a council meeting. Also in question was the use of public funds. Rogers said she reported the unauthorized purchase of two golf carts for nearly $10,000 and sought warrants related to a fraudulent city contract worth more than $500,000, the suit alleges. According to Rogers, she stepped down after she was notified that the council planned to terminate her. In its own statement, the city said it “unequivocally denies” the allegations and is prepared to defend itself in court. “The City takes allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and misconduct seriously. However, the filing of a lawsuit does not transform accusations into facts,” the statement said. “The City strongly cautions against treating unproven allegations as established truths, particularly when those allegations concern the integrity of public officials and the administration of municipal government.”This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — College Park’s former police chief has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming discrimination and unethical pressures from the city council forced her to resign.Connie Rogers, the first Black woman to hold the role in the city’s history, stepped down in December 2025 after taking office in 2022. The lawsuit accuses the city of discrimination based on her sexual orientation and retaliation. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: College Park police chief abruptly resignsRead the full lawsuit: In the suit, Rogers claims a councilwoman sought her removal because she’s married to another woman. She said the councilwoman and other city council members also asked her to take politically motivated actions, including rehiring a politically connected officer, approving arrest warrants for a political foe and writing a letter of support for the councilwoman’s husband after he was asked to leave a council meeting. Also in question was the use of public funds. Rogers said she reported the unauthorized purchase of two golf carts for nearly $10,000 and sought warrants related to a fraudulent city contract worth more than $500,000, the suit alleges. According to Rogers, she stepped down after she was notified that the council planned to terminate her. In its own statement, the city said it “unequivocally denies” the allegations and is prepared to defend itself in court. “The City takes allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and misconduct seriously. However, the filing of a lawsuit does not transform accusations into facts,” the statement said. “The City strongly cautions against treating unproven allegations as established truths, particularly when those allegations concern the integrity of public officials and the administration of municipal government.”This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.