Ex-cop sues police over 'polygamy' discrimination

David Kowal has accused NSW Police of bullying and causing him "emotional distress" after they discovered he was in a committed relationship with two women.

David Kowal has accused NSW Police of bullying, after they found out he was in a polygamous relationship. 

@theoz.com.au

Former NSW police officer David says when work found out about his throuple, his whole life changed. Still, he believes the power of #love pulled him through a dark time. #relationships

♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

Ex-cop David Kowal is suing NSW Police for alleged discrimination, claiming he endured “emotional distress” and “bullying” from senior police officers for being in a long-term polygamous relationship with two women.

Kowal, 38, told The Oz he was medically discharged from his job in the transport unit of the force in June last year, after he suffered a mental breakdown due to “a fair amount of harassment coming from the senior management team.”

Kowal has been in a throuple (a romantic relationship between three people) since 2019, with his partners Alana Dean and Loren Kowal. He is legally married to Kowal and Dean is their girlfriend.

“During the time of our relationship, I was pulled into a meeting with some senior officers where I was asked to disclose my relationship status,” he told The Oz.

“I never saw any issues with it, I thought, it doesn't affect you. I feel like what I do speaks for itself. However, once I had disclosed my relationship, the way I was treated at work overnight changed.”

David Kowal, Alana Dean (David and Loren's girlfriend) and Loren Kowal (David's wife and Alana's girlfriend). Picture: Supplied

Kowal was dealing predominantly with sex-related crimes that occurred on public transport around Central state in the Sydney CBD, he said.

"I was pretty much taken off (those cases) straightaway after senior officials found out about my relationship," he said. 

"There was no word of why. A lot of the team were being given a lot more pressure from higher up to solve a lot of the sexual crimes on the network, but I was the one who was doing the most of (the work), and I was being taken away."

“I ended up having a meltdown. I wasn't able to return to work,” he said.

“So last year, I was medically discharged from the police force, and for the last two years, it's been quite a struggle to try and get about and be normal.“I know I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for (Alana and Loren). Without a doubt I could not have done it.”

Loren Kowal, David Kowal and Alana Dean. Picture: Supplied

Due to the “trauma” he’s experienced, Loren Kowal said David is unable to have sex, and is not in a place to have children.

“The terrible timing of all of David's mental health stuff did put a massive strain on this sexual part of our relationship,” Loren said.

“All the harassment took a big toll on David's ability to do a lot of regular everyday life things, so our sexual relationship took a big hit in that sense.”

Firth’s the Compensation Lawyers are representing Kowal in the case, which is set to be heard in the District Court over four days from February 4.

NSW Police told The Oz they would not be commenting on the case.