Former LAPD Commander Wins $5.7 Million in Discrimination Lawsuit

Nicole Mehringer claimed she was held to a different standard than male colleagues over an alcohol-related incident.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:53am

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A Los Angeles County jury awarded former LAPD commander Nicole Mehringer nearly $6 million in a lawsuit against the department, finding that she was wrongfully fired over an alcohol-fueled incident in 2018 while her male colleagues faced lesser consequences for similar misconduct.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about gender discrimination and unequal treatment within the LAPD, with Mehringer arguing she was unfairly terminated compared to male officers who faced little to no discipline for comparable incidents.

The details

In April 2018, Mehringer and a male subordinate, Sgt. James Kelly, were found intoxicated in an unmarked police car by Glendale police. While Kelly was charged with DUI, Mehringer's public intoxication charge was later dismissed after she completed a recovery program. However, Mehringer was fired, while Kelly was only demoted and reassigned. Mehringer sued the city, alleging a double standard where male officers were allowed to keep their jobs in similar circumstances.

  • In April 2018, Mehringer and Sgt. James Kelly were found intoxicated in a police vehicle.
  • Mehringer's public intoxication charge was dismissed in 2018 after she completed a recovery program.
  • Mehringer was fired from the LAPD, while Kelly was only demoted and reassigned.
  • Mehringer sued the city in 2019, alleging gender discrimination.
  • The jury awarded Mehringer $5.7 million in damages on March 18, 2026.

The players

Nicole Mehringer

A former LAPD commander who was fired over an alcohol-related incident in 2018 but won a $5.7 million discrimination lawsuit against the department.

Sgt. James Kelly

A male LAPD subordinate who was found intoxicated with Mehringer in 2018, but was only demoted and reassigned, unlike Mehringer who was fired.

Michel Moore

The former LAPD chief who testified that he had not sought to overrule a disciplinary panel's decision in Mehringer's case, but was found by the jury to have lied about this.

John Sherman

A former LAPD deputy chief who initially argued for Mehringer to keep her job, but later withdrew his support after Mehringer chose to expose the department's misconduct.

Greg Smith

One of Mehringer's attorneys who argued that her case hinged on how she was treated by police officials when she sought to expose others for misconduct.

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What they’re saying

“I feel grateful and vindicated. This verdict means everything to me and in my mind it restores my reputation.”

— Nicole Mehringer

“The jurors believed that our client was clearly treated differently.”

— Greg Smith, Mehringer's attorney

What’s next

The city may appeal the jury's $5.7 million verdict in favor of Mehringer.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about gender discrimination and unequal treatment within the LAPD, with the jury finding that Mehringer was unfairly terminated compared to her male colleagues who faced little to no discipline for similar misconduct.