A former Monrovia police officer has asked a judge to order the release of internal department records he says could support his lawsuit accusing a supervising lieutenant of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Matthew Concepcion alleges in a Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit that the lieutenant ordered him to urinate in front of him rather than use a restroom, according to published reports. Concepcion said he complied because he felt obligated to follow his supervisor’s orders.
The lawsuit, initially filed nearly two years ago, also alleges the department retaliated against Concepcion after he reported the lieutenant’s alleged misconduct and failed to take adequate steps to prevent further harassment and retaliation. He contends he was fired in November 2025 because he spoke out against the supervisor.
Attorneys for the city have denied the allegations in previous court filings. They also argue the claims are barred, in part, because Concepcion failed to complete required internal grievance procedures.
In papers filed Nov. 5 with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Christopher K. Lui, Concepcion’s attorneys requested the release of internal Monrovia Police Department records, including complaints of sexual harassment involving the lieutenant and records of any investigations conducted after Concepcion filed his lawsuit.
A hearing on the request is scheduled for March 4, 2027.
City officials and Concepcion’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Concepcion was hired by the department in September 2023. The alleged harassment began in May 2024, when the lieutenant became increasingly focused on him and engaged in what the lawsuit describes as intrusive and sexually inappropriate behavior.
The lieutenant also directed Concepcion to drive him to various locations, although the assignments were not part of the officer’s job duties, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges the lieutenant instructed Concepcion to urinate in his presence instead of going to a restroom, leaving the officer feeling humiliated and uncomfortable.
In the department’s locker room, the lieutenant allegedly looked Concepcion up and down and made sexually suggestive remarks. The supervisor also sent him a sexually explicit text message, the lawsuit states.
Concepcion reported the alleged conduct to the department’s human resources office, prompting the lieutenant to be placed on leave. Concepcion also cooperated with an ensuing investigation, according to the complaint.
However, Concepcion alleges investigators pressured him to provide unrestricted access to his personal cellphone, even though he offered to turn over communications relevant to the investigation. The demand made him increasingly concerned that he, rather than the lieutenant, was under scrutiny, the lawsuit states.
The officer also alleges he subsequently lost overtime opportunities he previously had received and was reprimanded for minor issues. He further contends the department subjected him to additional investigations in retaliation for reporting the lieutenant.
Although the MPD maintains it properly handled his complaints, Concepcion alleges the retaliation continued until his termination in November 2025.