Skip to main content
Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

US agency didn’t investigate ‘invasive’ Nebraska exams

In this Aug. 3 2017 photo, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, left, and Chief Human Resources Officer Jason Jackson speak in Lincoln, Neb., during a news conference to release the findings of an internal investigation that led to the firing of Nebraska State Patrol superintendent Brad Rice in June. A review by Gov. Pete Ricketts' office faulted patrol leaders for failing to document Nebraska rooper Brienne Splittgerber's complaints that she was forced to undergo unnecessary, sexually invasive medical exams, and investigate the allegations. The review also faulted Rice, who was fired by Ricketts in July, for failing to correct the agency's inaction after he learned about it in February. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
In this Aug. 3 2017 photo, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, left, and Chief Human Resources Officer Jason Jackson speak in Lincoln, Neb., during a news conference to release the findings of an internal investigation that led to the firing of Nebraska State Patrol superintendent Brad Rice in June. A review by Gov. Pete Ricketts' office faulted patrol leaders for failing to document Nebraska rooper Brienne Splittgerber's complaints that she was forced to undergo unnecessary, sexually invasive medical exams, and investigate the allegations. The review also faulted Rice, who was fired by Ricketts in July, for failing to correct the agency's inaction after he learned about it in February. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

By Associated Press 1 min read

The federal agency charged with stopping workplace discrimination declined to investigate a complaint alleging female Nebraska State Patrol officers had to undergo sexually invasive medical exams.

According to a June letter to attorneys representing trooper Brienne Splittgerber, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that she waited too long to file a complaint alleging she was forced to expose her vagina to a doctor during mandatory pre-employment physicals.

The commission said it had no authority to investigate the exams, which prompted criticism after they were detailed in a lawsuit filed by Splittgerber this month.

Splittgerber argued in the federal complaint that her delay in filing came because patrol leaders ignored her concerns for 2 ½ years after she was examined in 2014 and failed to take action.