Perla Dominguez, the first woman to complete the formal selection process for the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT unit, has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Antonio, alleging years of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation by male colleagues.
Dominguez, a 14-year veteran of the police department, claims she was pushed out of the elite unit after refusing to participate in an initiation ritual that involved male officers holding her down and biting her buttocks.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged hazing was part of an established SWAT tradition involving new recruits. Officers were also reportedly expected to get a lightning bolt tattoo as a symbol of membership.
Dominguez considered the biting ritual sexually degrading and found the tattoo requirement offensive.
She alleges that her refusal led colleagues to question her loyalty and subject her to further hostility.
Officers Allegedly Questioned Her Loyalty
The lawsuit names SAPD officers Salvador Hernandez and Marshall Davis as two individuals who repeatedly pressured Dominguez to undergo the initiation ritual in 2021.
Hernandez allegedly told her that her decision not to participate was making other members of the unit question whether she was loyal to the team.
The complaint also refers to a 2022 leadership training event where Captain Jamie Trevino reportedly described the lightning bolt tattoo as representing “loyalty and trust.”
Dominguez believed the comment was directed at her because she had refused to take part in the alleged hazing tradition.
Female Officer Faced Repeated Problems Over Bathroom Access
The lawsuit also describes disputes over access to a private changing and restroom area at the SWAT facility.
As the unit’s only female officer, Dominguez had to use the women’s bathroom to change.
However, male officers allegedly continued entering the facility’s female restroom despite her requests that they respect her privacy.
In February 2019, a male SWAT officer allegedly walked into the bathroom while she was partially undressed.
The complaint further claims that Sergeant Frank Gutierrez later confronted her in front of other colleagues about why she needed a separate restroom.
Dominguez reportedly received a key to secure the bathroom, but the situation remained contentious.
In 2020, Captain Miles Earwood allegedly asked her to leave the key somewhere accessible to male officers. She refused, according to the lawsuit.
Another officer, Greg Cummins, allegedly threatened her over the bathroom arrangements, telling her: “The moment you leave that door open, I’m going to take a s*** in your sink.”
The complaint states that male colleagues continued making her restroom access an issue.
Used Condom Found in Her Locker
Dominguez also alleges that she experienced discrimination connected to her membership of the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2021, she informed colleagues that she and her wife were expecting twin boys.
She subsequently discovered a used condom inside her locker, according to the lawsuit.
The incident prompted an investigation, during which Dominguez said she was required to undergo a polygraph examination.
However, she claims the city failed to identify or discipline the person responsible for placing the used condom in her personal storage area.
The lawsuit also describes an incident in November 2021 involving derogatory remarks made by two colleagues about a nonbinary public figure.
According to the complaint, the officers made comments suggesting that nonbinary people were all “f***** up.”
Dominguez found the remarks offensive and believed they were intended to provoke a reaction from her.
She reported the incident but alleges that the department took no action.
Sergeant Changed Officer’s Performance Review
The complaint further alleges that Dominguez faced unfair treatment through her performance evaluations.
In 2022, Gutierrez reportedly gave her a review stating that her work was below expectations.
The document also described her as “annoyed” and suggested that she seek psychological services.
However, the same evaluation reportedly indicated that she was meeting all expectations in her duties.
When Dominguez refused to sign the document, Gutierrez allegedly left the room and returned with a revised version.
The second evaluation stated that she was meeting expectations, removed the recommendation concerning psychological services and described her as “distracted” rather than “annoyed.”
When questioned about why the original version had been prepared, Gutierrez reportedly responded: “I don’t know.”
Dominguez Requested Transfer From SWAT Unit
Dominguez eventually sought to leave the SWAT team, citing the alleged harassment and hostile working conditions.
In February 2022, she requested a temporary assignment at the San Antonio Police Department’s Training Academy. The department granted her request, according to the lawsuit.
She is now seeking compensation for the financial losses associated with leaving the SWAT unit, as well as damages for the alleged discrimination and harassment.
Officer Made History With 2018 SWAT Appointment
Dominguez joined the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team in 2018 after completing its formal selection process, becoming the city’s first woman to achieve the distinction.
At the time, she spoke about the preparation and training required to secure a position on the elite team.
In an interview with KENS5 in 2018, she said she had dedicated considerable time to improving her physical fitness and addressing areas where she needed to perform better during previous tryouts.
She described the SWAT unit as an elite team and said she was looking forward to learning from experienced colleagues and applying their knowledge.
Police officials acknowledged at the time that another woman, Holly Vizcarrando, had previously joined the unit.
However, they identified Dominguez as the first woman to successfully complete the department’s rigorous formal tryout process.
Lawsuit Seeks Reinstatement and Financial Compensation
Dominguez is asking the court to order her reinstatement to the SWAT team and award back pay for wages she lost after leaving the unit.
She is also seeking compensatory damages under federal anti-discrimination laws.
Additionally, the lawsuit asks the court to prevent the City of San Antonio and its police department from continuing the alleged unlawful workplace practices described in the complaint.
