Officer Sues Borough, Police Chief Over Bias, Retaliation Claims In Somerset County

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A Somerville police officer has sued the borough and Police Chief Dennis Manning, alleging sex discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, disability discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation.

Nicole DeBiase of Bridgewater filed the 25-page lawsuit on Monday in Superior Court in Somerset County.

According to the complaint, DeBiase is a married lesbian woman whose sexual orientation was known to her employer and coworkers.

The filing alleges a pattern of comments and conduct inside the department dating back several years, including repeated remarks attributed to Officer Vito Spadea, statements attributed to supervisors and an incident involving a restroom marked "women" at police headquarters.

In 2019, Spadea allegedly came up behind DeBiase to try to massage her shoulders.

She claims she "felt what she believed to be an erection pressed against her back."

DeBiase also claims that when she turned to look at Spadea, she saw him "forcing his hand in his crotch area and 'tucking'."

DeBiase also alleges that she was denied light-duty work after injuries while male officers were permitted modified assignments.

According to the lawsuit, after shoulder surgery in or around December 2024, DeBiase’s physician cleared her for light-duty work, but Manning told her the department had no light-duty policy and that "if he did it for her, he would have to do it for everyone."

The lawsuit alleges other employees received light-duty accommodations.

The complaint also alleges retaliation tied to DeBiase’s questions about light duty and her workplace treatment.

In one section, the lawsuit says she contacted PBA representatives about filing a grievance related to sick time and light-duty concerns.

It also alleges her hours were adjusted to avoid compensatory time, she was reassigned from some community policing events, and she did not receive timely backup during a June 11, incident involving what the complaint describes as a "volatile and irate female juvenile" near Dunkin Donuts on West Main Street.

The lawsuit alleges officers in the department would "make comments about the physical appearance of women shown on television, including remarks about their bodies and breasts."

DeBiase claims that during one conversation she was asked if she would have sex with a particular woman shown on television.

"These conversations were conducted openly in the workplace and made [DeBaise] uncomfortable," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that the actions by some of the officers in the department created "a hostile, intimidating, humiliating and/or offensive working environment."

As a result, DeBiase "suffered damages, including diminished career opportunity; harm to her reputation; loss of self-esteem; disruption of her professional and family life; emotional trauma; and other harm, pain and suffering."

DeBiase is seeking damages, including nominal, compensatory and punitive damages, along with interest, attorney’s fees, costs of suit and other relief the court deems equitable and just.

The Borough of Somerville and Police Department did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

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