Wyoming police officer alleges pregnancy meant no promotion

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) - A police officer in Wyoming has filed a lawsuit claiming she was denied a chance at promotion because her high-risk pregnancy prevented her from taking a physical test on the date it was given.

The city of Rock Springs refused to consider Amanda Clawson-Walker's application to become a sergeant because she couldn't do the test consisting of 1 minute of push-ups, 1 minute of sit-ups and a timed 1.5 mile run, her lawsuit said.

The city violated federal civil rights law because it did not consider her request for accommodations, Clawson-Walkersaid in the lawsuit filed Monday in federal court.

A federal agency that enforces civil rights law in the workplace found reasonable cause to believe the city discriminated against Clawson-Walker and other women in similar situations, the Casper Star-Tribune reported.

An attorney for Clawson-Walker, John Robinson, confirmed she still works for the police department. Robinson said he could not comment on the case.

Rock Springs City Attorney Richard Beckwith declined to comment Tuesday on the lawsuit.

Clawson-Walker applied for the job in June 2016 and provided the Rock Springs Police Civil Service Commission a doctor's note requesting to take the physical test at least 12 weeks after delivery.

The commission handles hiring, promotion and discipline for the police department. The commission responded that she was not eligible because she could not take the physical agility test, according to the lawsuit.

The commission hired somebody who was not pregnant for the job, the lawsuit said.

Clawson-Walker's doctor allowed her to return to work in September 2016 without restrictions, according to the lawsuit.