An Independence police captain has filed a lawsuit against the city’s police department, alleging command staff retaliated against him after he reported a range of concerns, including that a top department official drove a city vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and that the department misused tax dollars.
The claim, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on Wednesday on behalf of Justin Marriott, is the second lawsuit brought by a department employee stating that Deputy Chief Michelle Sumstad had been investigated for allegedly driving under the influence.
Marriott’s lawsuit alleges that while he had been working off-duty security at an event at Cable Dahmer Arena in October, he had spotted Sumstad drinking alcohol in front of other officers before she got into her city vehicle and drove off while under the influence…