Former Glasgow police chief files lawsuit against City of Glasgow, alleging gender discrimination

GLASGOW, Ky. – A former Glasgow police chief has filed a lawsuit against the City of Glasgow alleging gender discrimination during her time of employment as police chief, according to court records.

Court records state a complaint was filed on March 29, which states Jennifer Arbogast was promoted to be the city’s “first female police chief” at the Glasgow Police Department in July 2019.

The complaint states Arbogast allegedly experienced “routine comments of gender discrimination” while employed in this position.

According to the lawsuit, the following comments were allegedly made to or about Arbogast: “I don’t believe a female should be doing this job;” “I didn’t want you to be promoted to police chief” and “a male should be the chief,” as well as an individual saying they didn’t think Arbogast “can handle it [the role of police chief]” and other comments.

The complaint states Glasgow mayor Henry Royse called Arbogast on February 14, 2023 with an ultimatum that “either she could retire or he was going to terminate her employment.”

Arbogast later announced she was retiring effective of April 1, 2023.

In an interview with News 40 last year, Royse said he asked Arbogast to resign during a private, face-to-face conversation. Royse attributed his decision solely to the fact that 12 Glasgow police officers had resigned since Jan. 1 this year.

Royse, councilmembers and the city attorney had also received anonymous emails – claiming to be from various employees within Glasgow Police Department – voicing concerns about the department’s leadership and protocol. Royse stated in his 2023 interview that these anonymous emails did not influence his decision.

Following Arbogast’s conversation with the mayor, court documents state the city allegedly attempted to have her sign a “verified resignation and statement of election to retire” document, which contained “numerous falsities,” including the fact that it stated “my resignation as police chief and my election to retire is made freely, voluntarily and after due consideration on my part.”

Arbogast refused to sign this document and instead “drafted and submitted her own statement, making “specific statements, such as ‘it had not been my intentions to retire’ and ‘I feel that if I were to stay at this point, I would be further retaliated against,’” according to court documents.

Court documents state the city hired Guy Howie to replace Arbogast effective April 17, 2023.

News 40 reached out to the Glasgow Police Department, which declined to comment due to this being pending litigation.

Our team has additionally reached out to Royse, who responded Saturday morning, stating, “It is the policy of the City of Glasgow to not comment on any pending litigation.”

News 40 will provide additional details as they become available.