Millville, gay ex-officer settle harassment suit

MILLVILLE, N.J. - A former police officer will get $415,000 from this Cumberland County town in settling his claim that he was harassed because he is gay.

Robert Colle, who went on leave from the police force in August 2007, has resigned from the Millville Police Department as part of the settlement. He sued the town in October 2007, claiming he was ridiculed by the man who was then chief and by other officers because of his sexual preference.

He alleged that city officials ignored his harassment complaints. Officers refused to back him up when he was dealing with a disorderly woman, Colle said. The woman bit his finger to the bone, according to legal filings. - AP