Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves is facing serious allegations in a lawsuit claiming she made sexually explicit comments and gestures toward a subordinate officer, then retaliated against him after he reported her conduct. The lawsuit, filed by former Capt. Darrel Bergquist, has been moving through Jackson County Circuit Court for nearly four years.

According to court filings, Graves allegedly made crude remarks about a protester's sexual history and pretended to grab her genitals while showing a photo of an injured officer's tattoo. Bergquist claims he reported these incidents to then-Chief Rick Smith in 2021, after which Graves allegedly threatened to discipline him and questioned why he went above the chain of command.

The Police Department has paid out $10.9 million in legal settlements over the past fiscal year, contributing to budget pressures that Graves cited when calling for "drastic" cuts. The department declined to comment on the allegations, citing ongoing litigation. A court hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for April.