Petition to Support Former Police Officer Beverly (Christy) Bond. Community Awarded and recognized for her outstanding community service. Yet, a Victim of Discrimination, Retaliation, and Harassment.

By Ronald Fino and Alexandra Forry

On February 1, 2016, Newport News, Virginia, Police Officer Beverly Bond was terminated because she filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, (EEOC) complaint about harassment, retaliation, and discrimination.

Christy Bond was assigned to work with a fellow police officer who was continuously harassing her. Her supervisors would not reassign either officer, insisting for her to "work it out" with the officer she made the complaint on.

Due to a medical issue, Christy Bond requested an accommodation to wear a shoulder holster, as a male officer on the department had been receiving for four years before Christy's complaint. Once Christy asked the same accommodation, the policy was changed regarding duty belts, and all officers were suddenly required to wear a full duty belt. Because of medically verifiable injury and the increased harassment by her supervisors, Christy Bond filed charges with the EEOC.

Her supervisor, the former chief of Newport News Police Department and others did start looking to create, and or expound on testimony which proved unfounded charges, which were retaliation due to the EEOC charges she filed and fired Officer Beverly Bond.

The EEOC did concur and concluded that the illegal discriminatory firing was wrong and sent the matter to the United States Department of Justice Eastern District of Virginia and for them to follow up with a Federal lawsuit.

Unfortunately, the DOJ never did. According to the law you have 90 days to file a complaint. Bond tried to reach the DOJ, and they never responded. Due to the Police Department’s Retaliation, Christy had no money and repeatedly tried to find anyone who could help her.

I learned of the matter and even though Christy Bond had no money, was in debt for more than 60,000. Lost her job and had no one turn to in this time of need. I decided to help and if needed, spend what money I have to assist this victim of employment harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. I tried contacting attorneys that handle such matters and even agreed to; personally, guarantee their fees but to no avail. I wrote the Newport News City Attorney, as well as the new Newport News Chief of Police and had yet to receive any response.

Employment Discrimination does exist, and even police officers can be victims. When it happens, we all lose. I worked with the DOJ, FBI and had encountered many good men and women in the Law Enforcement field. However, as we all know there are some that do not follow the humanly common law of mutual respect. No matter what your political affiliation is or your beliefs are, we all benefit from offering a helping hand to those in need.

We are asking that the Department of Justice, open the neglected matter and commence legal action. The Newport News Police return (Beverly) Christy Bond to duty with back pay and her legal expenses. The City of Newport News to utilize an independent investigator to review the real reason Bond was fired and stop this type of discrimination.

Please help Christy by signing your name to this petition.

We want Justice for Christy.

Ronald Fino and Alexandra Forry