Ex-Boston cop awarded $1M lawsuit against department for creating hostile work enviorment
A former Boston police officer, Enxhi Qirici, recently won a $1 million lawsuit after claiming she was wrongfully terminated for calling out her co-workers for making lewd comments about her sex life. Despite jurors finding her unfit for the job, Qirici’s case shed light on the toxic workplace culture within the Boston Police Department.
Qirici, a 32-year-old Albanian immigrant, joined the department in 2017 and faced ongoing sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. She testified that after she began dating a Black officer, Eliot Telisnor, she faced a barrage of lewd jokes and harassment about her interracial relationship. This harassment intensified after she was involved in two incidents that led to her termination during her probationary period.
The first incident occurred in July 2018 when Qirici got into a dispute with a Northeastern University officer at a construction site. She allegedly parked illegally and used profanity during the altercation. The second incident took place a month later when she and Telisnor drove to Logan Airport during their break. Qirici became emotional and agitated when approached by a Massachusetts State Police trooper, leading to her being placed on desk duty and eventually fired.
Throughout her time in the department, Qirici faced mockery and speculation about her personal life, including rumors about her being pregnant. Despite bringing a complaint to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in March 2019, she was fired three weeks later. While her lawyer argued that the timing suggested retaliation, the city’s attorney maintained that her termination was due to her probationary status and behavior.
Following her dismissal, Qirici struggled to make ends meet as a food delivery driver and suffered from depression. However, she persevered and went on to attend law school, becoming an attorney. Despite the challenges she faced, Qirici’s case highlighted the importance of addressing workplace discrimination and harassment within law enforcement agencies.
The lawsuit brought by Enxhi Qirici not only shed light on the toxic workplace culture within the Boston Police Department but also served as a reminder of the importance of standing up against discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Her journey from being wrongfully terminated to becoming an attorney is a testament to her resilience and determination to seek justice.
