DC Police Captain Sues Over Alleged Retaliation For Parental Leave

Capt. Paul Hrebenak is suing the Metropolitan Police Department, claiming he was reassigned to an overnight patrol shift in retaliation for taking parental leave as a gay man. Hrebenak, 42, alleges the transfer from his role as Director of the School Safety Division violated laws requiring reinstatement to equivalent positions. The lawsuit claims straight officers who took leave were treated differently and that the shift change worsens Hrebenak’s Crohn’s disease.

He is seeking $5 million in damages and a return to a daytime role. D.C. police have declined to comment.