Lesbian Cop Who Was Told To Be “Submissive” To Men Or Sleep With Them Wins $10M In Damages
After enduring harassment and retaliation, a lesbian ex-cop took her department to court—and won.
Ashley Cummins isn’t one to back down from a fight. As an openly lesbian former police officer and a professional MMA fighter known in the cage as “Smashley,” she’s spent her career holding her ground in challenging situations. But nothing could have prepared her for the battle she faced inside the National City Police Department (NCPD).
Now, she’s come out on top in a different kind of arena: a San Diego courtroom. Cummins has been awarded $10 million in damages after suing NCPD for harassment and discrimination based on her gender and sexual orientation.
In her lawsuit, Cummins described a workplace culture where women were demeaned and LGBTQ+ officers were marginalized. Male colleagues allegedly told her and other female officers they needed to either “be submissive” or “sleep with” the men if they wanted to fit in, reports NBC. She says she was passed over for promotions, removed from crime scenes without cause, and even placed in danger when another officer failed to search a homicide suspect for weapons.
Related: Lesbian Kansas City Firefighter To Win $1.3 Million Discrimination Settlement
Attempts to report the harassment were met with silence or pushback. One officer allegedly told her that filing a complaint would only make things worse—part of a broader pattern that discouraged women from speaking out.
The jury believed her.
She was awarded compensation for lost wages, future earnings, and emotional distress—sending a strong message not just to NCPD but to law enforcement agencies everywhere.
Related: Ex-Starbucks Employee Sues, Says He Was Harassed For Being A Straight Man
Before joining the force, Cummins served on federal task forces with the FBI and DEA—roles that are difficult to land for anyone, let alone an openly gay woman. Outside of policing, she’s built a name for herself in the world of mixed martial arts, where she’s fought professionally and won seven of her fourteen fights.
Since initially filing the lawsuit in 2022, Cummins says her law enforcement career has stalled. Despite applying to multiple departments, she hasn’t been offered a single position. She now trains officers part-time while continuing to pursue her athletic career.
The city of National City says it’s considering an appeal and remains “committed to a fair and inclusive workplace,” but officials have acknowledged the need to investigate deeper cultural issues within the department.
