By Drew’s Cop Shop Staff
The case of Ivana Williams, a former Mississippi State Trooper, has brought to light serious allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct within the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP). Williams, who was dismissed for sharing a video of a sexual encounter with a female subject, has filed a lawsuit claiming she was subjected to rampant and uncontrolled sexual harassment throughout her career.
Williams alleges that the harassment began during her training and continued until her dismissal. She claims that male colleagues made sexually suggestive remarks, patted her on the buttocks, and asked her to smile at the TAC Officer while in the push-up position. Despite being fully qualified, she was repeatedly denied entry to the Special Operations Group. She was told not to apply to the Highway Patrol’s motorcycle team because it was a “boy’s club.”
The case took a more complex turn when Brynne Fisackerly, the woman in the video identified in a Daily Mail Exclusive story, filed an $11 million lawsuit against Williams. She claimed she was too intoxicated to consent to the encounter and that Williams recorded and shared the video without her permission. However, Fisackerly’s lawsuit was dismissed. Additionally, Fisackerly has filed for bankruptcy per The Daily Mail.
Williams is also fighting for reinstatement to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, asserting her innocence and wrongful termination. She has taken to social media to garner public support and raise funds for her legal battle.
This case highlights the broader issues of sexual harassment and misconduct within law enforcement agencies and the double standards that often exist. Williams has maintained her innocence, stating that she would never have been fired if she were a man. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the culture and policies within the MHP and other similar organizations.
We have reached out to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for comment and Bailey Martin, Spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, provided the following:
Former Mississippi State Trooper Ivana Williams was terminated in February of 2024 for violating multiple Mississippi Department of Public Safety policies. In addition to numerous instances of prior corrective action, her termination was based on a pattern of misconduct, including, but not limited to, consuming alcohol in her patrol vehicle, her state-issued cellphone being used to access pornographic websites, and failing to properly report to her troop commander her being questioned by attorney general investigators regarding a possible assault. Further, Ms. Williams admitted to sending unsolicited photos of herself to fellow state troopers and when asked by internal affairs investigators why she sent these photos, Williams responded, “I liked seeing their reactions and their faces turning red.”
Recently, Ms. Williams’ case appealing her termination to the Mississippi Employee Appeals Board seeking reinstatement to the Mississippi Highway Patrol was dismissed. Due to her pending claims in federal court, the Department of Public Safety will offer no further comment.
This case highlights the broader issues of sexual harassment and misconduct within law enforcement agencies and the double standards that often exist. Williams has maintained her innocence, stating that she would never have been fired if she were a man. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the culture and policies within the MHP and other similar organizations.
