Officer sues Farmington Police Dept.

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A Farmington police officer is suing the department because he feels he's been passed over for promotion because of his age.

Sgt. Ronnie Anderson is 55. He filed a civil lawsuit against the city and Farmington Police Chief Jim Runnels claiming he is the victim of age discrimination and retaliation after he was passed over several times for promotion.

Anderson's attorney said his client tried five times to move up to lieutenant and was still passed over for younger, less qualified officers.

The city and Runnels face two counts of discrimination, three counts of retaliation and one count of breach of contract under state and federal statutes.

Runnels declined to comment and referred all questions to attorney Wayne Bingham representing the city and Runnels. Bingham was unavailable for comment.

Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com