Legal Fees for Officer Monica Blake
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I became a police officer nearly 15 years ago, and have proudly served the city of Nashville, TN. For years, I have advocated for justice and hoped to give a voice to victims of crime as I fought to protect and serve the community I love so much. Though I always encouraged victims of crime to stand up for themselves by taking legal action, I never fully understood what it meant to “find your voice” until I was nearly killed and subsequently raped in May 2016 by another officer while off-duty.
After the attack, I walked in fear of the attacker and didn’t immediately report the incident. Knowing I was nearly killed, working in a male-dominated environment, and understanding the attacker’s closest friend was in Internal Affairs did not make me eager to want to report the incident. To be completely honest, I don’t know that I ever would’ve reported it had someone else not been brave for me at a time when I couldn’t be brave for myself. After it was reported, the defendant was arrested and was ultimately charged with strangulation and rape. After violation of an order of protection, the defendant was ordered to wear an ankle monitor to ensure the safety of me and my family.
Subsequent to the attack, I noticed I was being treated very differently by Command Staff. I’d not ever felt like officers were treated great by administration, but things became especially awful for me. There were fabricated complaints, botched evaluations, decommissions, accusations of being untruthful, mandated psychological evaluations... all kinds of craziness! I was even accused of intimidating an armed Commander while I was unarmed (and she had two armed lieutenants at her side). Ultimately the District Attorney’s Office disclosed they were offering a plea deal, largely because a “high-ranking police official” claimed I had a reputation for being untruthful — which is absolutely false. Because of the inaccurate accusations, a plea of 3 years probation was offered for the strangulation and the rape was dropped. Soon after, I discovered fabricated documentation by a Commander and learned essential evidence had somehow disappeared.
The search for justice has been a long, hard, and painful journey... But I’m grateful to finally have a team of attorneys willing to take on the task! While I am disheartened to be at this juncture, I understand the necessity for accountability and transparency in policing. The EEOC has charged the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department with Discrimination and Attorney Kyle Mothershead helped me to file a Federal Lawsuit against the police department and a Commander. We are also thankful and excited to welcome Attorneys Anne Hunter and Heather Collins to our team!
Throughout this journey, I’ve had so many people ask if they could do anything to help or if they could contribute to legal fees. The estimated cost for representation, experts, court reporters, depositions, etc. is approximately $15,000. If you feel compelled to make a financial donation for the legal fees, then it will certainly be appreciated. Even if you do not feel inclined to donate, then I encourage you to support other survivors you know and help them to find their voice, just as my loved ones have helped me to find mine.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story... There is a ton more, and I have enclosed links below if you’d like more details. Truly, thank you.
Officer Monica Blake
https://www.facebook.com/100000183355622/posts/2428333297182758/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=StFvSija03M
https://www.facebook.com/100000183355622/posts/2128579107158180/
https://www.facebook.com/100000183355622/posts/2414686775214077/
(Disclaimer: This is my personal message and is not endorsed by the department.)
After the attack, I walked in fear of the attacker and didn’t immediately report the incident. Knowing I was nearly killed, working in a male-dominated environment, and understanding the attacker’s closest friend was in Internal Affairs did not make me eager to want to report the incident. To be completely honest, I don’t know that I ever would’ve reported it had someone else not been brave for me at a time when I couldn’t be brave for myself. After it was reported, the defendant was arrested and was ultimately charged with strangulation and rape. After violation of an order of protection, the defendant was ordered to wear an ankle monitor to ensure the safety of me and my family.
Subsequent to the attack, I noticed I was being treated very differently by Command Staff. I’d not ever felt like officers were treated great by administration, but things became especially awful for me. There were fabricated complaints, botched evaluations, decommissions, accusations of being untruthful, mandated psychological evaluations... all kinds of craziness! I was even accused of intimidating an armed Commander while I was unarmed (and she had two armed lieutenants at her side). Ultimately the District Attorney’s Office disclosed they were offering a plea deal, largely because a “high-ranking police official” claimed I had a reputation for being untruthful — which is absolutely false. Because of the inaccurate accusations, a plea of 3 years probation was offered for the strangulation and the rape was dropped. Soon after, I discovered fabricated documentation by a Commander and learned essential evidence had somehow disappeared.
The search for justice has been a long, hard, and painful journey... But I’m grateful to finally have a team of attorneys willing to take on the task! While I am disheartened to be at this juncture, I understand the necessity for accountability and transparency in policing. The EEOC has charged the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department with Discrimination and Attorney Kyle Mothershead helped me to file a Federal Lawsuit against the police department and a Commander. We are also thankful and excited to welcome Attorneys Anne Hunter and Heather Collins to our team!
Throughout this journey, I’ve had so many people ask if they could do anything to help or if they could contribute to legal fees. The estimated cost for representation, experts, court reporters, depositions, etc. is approximately $15,000. If you feel compelled to make a financial donation for the legal fees, then it will certainly be appreciated. Even if you do not feel inclined to donate, then I encourage you to support other survivors you know and help them to find their voice, just as my loved ones have helped me to find mine.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story... There is a ton more, and I have enclosed links below if you’d like more details. Truly, thank you.
Officer Monica Blake
https://www.facebook.com/100000183355622/posts/2428333297182758/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=StFvSija03M
https://www.facebook.com/100000183355622/posts/2128579107158180/
https://www.facebook.com/100000183355622/posts/2414686775214077/
(Disclaimer: This is my personal message and is not endorsed by the department.)
Organizer
Monica Blake
Organizer
Nashville, TN