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PD’s only female SWAT cop was bullied by male colleagues after she refused to let them hold her down and bite her butt as part of hazing ritual, lawsuit alleges
Officer Perla Dominguez, a 14-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department and the city’s only female SWAT officer, alleges in a lawsuit that male colleagues harassed and ostracised her after she refused to join a sexually degrading hazing ritual. She says the treatment led her to request reassignment, raising questions about discrimination and the handling of complaints within the unit.
The lawsuit says the ritual involved recruits being held down and bitten on the rear, and that SWAT members were also expected to get a lightning bolt tattoo. It alleges years of harassment, including incidents involving access to the women’s changing area and a used condom placed in Dominguez’s locker after she told colleagues she and her wife were expecting twins. She is seeking reinstatement, lost pay, damages and an order preventing the city and police department from continuing the alleged unlawful practices.
In short
- A San Antonio officer alleges years of harassment in the SWAT unit.
- She says she was pressured to take part in a degrading hazing ritual.
- Her lawsuit seeks reinstatement, back pay and damages.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
If the allegations are substantiated, the department has a responsibility to address sexualised hazing and harassment, protect officers who report it, and ensure that unit traditions do not undermine equal treatment. Dominguez’s supporters can argue that her reassignment and requested remedies are reasonable ways to remedy alleged career harm and prevent similar conduct.
The case against
The allegations are claims in a lawsuit and should be assessed through a fair investigation and legal process before conclusions are drawn about individual officers or the department. The city could argue that it should have the opportunity to contest disputed facts and show what steps it took in response, while any remedies should be based on established evidence and applicable law.