Former Aspen officer wants $460,000 in damages over firing

By The AP
Monday, August 8, 2011

ASPEN — A former Aspen policewoman is suing for more than $460,000 in damages after she was fired by the Aspen Police Department more than five years ago for using a stun gun on a homeless woman.

Former Aspen police officer Melinda Calvano says she was subjected to gender bias, sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.

According to the Aspen Times, the city contends Calvano was fired for unfairly using a stun gun on Carol Alexy. Calvano maintains that she used the stun gun on Alexy because she felt threatened by the woman, who was digging through a Thrift Shop trash bin.