WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - A former state trooper is suing the Delaware State Police, arguing that she was forced to retired from the force because of her weight.
46-year-old Deborah Jester filed a federal gender discrimination lawsuit Wednesday.
Jester, who had been on the force 16 years, says in the lawsuit that she was forced to retire after becoming non-compliant with the department's weight control program.
Jester's lawyer argues that her dismissal was discriminatory because "men are treated differently than women" in the department.
The suit says Jester fell out of compliance in April of 2011, but was granted a series of extensions to comply with weight standards.
She retired in May of 2013.
The Delaware State Police declined to comment because the lawsuit is pending.
