Former MSU-Billings police sergeant files lawsuit alleging sex discrimination [Video]

BILLINGS – A woman has filed a federal lawsuit for sexual discrimination and retaliation alleging she was forced to resign from the Montana State University Billings Police Department.

Melissa Brennan filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Billings against the Montana University System, the Montana State University Police Department and unnamed individuals on Nov. 18. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages based on four claims, including retaliation and sexual discrimination in violation of federal law, and sex discrimination and wrongful discharge in violation of Montana law.

Shiloh Skillen-Robison, interim director of MSUB communications and marketing, told MTN News the university does not comment on pending litigation.

According to the lawsuit, Brennan was hired by the campus police department as an officer in January 2021 and promoted to sergeant in December 2022, the first female officer to hold that rank in the agency. She resigned from the department in February 2024 …