Former Sacramento Sheriff's Captain Sues Elk Grove Police Chief Bobby Davis, Alleges Sexual Harassment, Retaliation and Career Destruction

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Capt. Vanessa Vaden has filed a civil lawsuit alleging Elk Grove Police Chief Robert “Bobby” Davis subjected her to years of sexual harassment, coerced her into a relationship through his position of authority and later orchestrated retaliation that led to the end of her 24-year law enforcement career.

The lawsuit, filed June 16 in Sacramento County Superior Court, names as defendants the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the County of Sacramento, the City of Elk Grove, Davis, and 50 unnamed defendants.

The complaint expands on allegations first publicly detailed in documents reported by Elk Grove News in April. In that reporting, Vaden alleged she had been involved in a long-term relationship with Davis and that she later became the target of retaliation after reporting what she described as misconduct involving Davis and a subordinate employee.

According to the lawsuit, Vaden and Davis first became professionally connected while both worked at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Vaden alleges Davis served as her supervisor when he was a captain assigned to Internal Affairs and Professional Standards and later became a mentor before the relationship turned personal.

The lawsuit alleges Davis began sending sexually explicit text messages, photographs and videos while both were employed by the Sheriff's Office. Among the most graphic allegations, Vaden claims Davis sent her a photograph of his erect penis while on duty inside the sheriff's headquarters.

The complaint further alleges Davis used his authority and influence within the Sheriff's Office to pressure Vaden into a relationship and repeatedly emphasized his ability to affect promotions, assignments,and disciplinary outcomes.

According to the filing, Vaden later learned Davis was involved in a separate relationship with a subordinate employee at the Elk Grove Police Department after he left the Sheriff's Office and eventually became Elk Grove's police chief. The lawsuit alleges that in December 2023, Vaden and her teenage daughter discovered a female Elk Grove Police Department subordinate employee of Davis hiding in the police chief's backyard while partially clothed and standing in the rain.

The complaint also alleges Davis, who became police chief in 2022, maintained close ties to Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper after leaving the Sheriff's Office and repeatedly boasted of his ability to influence decisions within the agency.

After Vaden reported concerns to the City of Elk Grove's Human Resources Department in 2025, the lawsuit alleges she became the subject of an internal affairs investigation, was placed on administrative leave, had her electronic devices seized, lost access to department systems, and was ultimately terminated on Feb. 18, 2026. Subsequently, the city of Elk Grove has hired a new human resources manager.

The complaint alleges Davis characterized Vaden as "crazy," directed a campaign to damage her reputation, and used his relationships within law enforcement to retaliate against her after she reported misconduct.

In addition to the harassment allegations, the lawsuit claims the City of Elk Grove failed to adequately investigate complaints involving Davis and failed to protect Vaden from retaliation after she cooperated with the city's investigation.

Elk Grove City Manager Jason Behrmann declined to comment on the lawsuit's allegations. However, in response to an inquiry regarding the city's investigation, Behrmann identified Danville.Calif.-based Kramer Workplace Investigations as the outside organization commissioned to conduct the investigation.

Vaden's attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages against Davis, reinstatement, and other relief. Causes of action include sexual harassment, retaliation, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and alleged civil rights violations.

The case is filed as Vanessa Vaden v. Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, County of Sacramento, City of Elk Grove, Robert "Bobby" Davis, et al., Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 26CV014793.

Attorneys for Vaden are Emilia Artemida Arutunian of Antonyan Miranda LLP and the law firm Antonyan Miranda LLP of San Diego.

A case management conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 12, 2027, in Department 16C of the Sacramento County Superior Court.