The former Sandy Springs Police public information officer is alleging the chief and command staff berated and humiliated some officers and that more than 22 officers were willing to take their complaints to the Human Resources Department, according to a report by WSB-TV.

Mike Petchenik reported July 18 that some former officers are considering filing a whistleblower lawsuit against the city because they say officials punished them for raising concerns about the alleged hostile workplace.

Ron Momon, the former public information officer for the Sandy Springs Police Department, said officers compiled a letter outlining how some officers have been allegedly mistreated.

The alleged harassment includes the chief and commanding officers targeting overweight and older officers and civilian employees, calling them derogatory names and demeaning them in front of staff, according to Momon.

In a statement to WSB-TV, DeSimone denied making any derogatory comments about the weight of officers.

Dyana Bagby is a staff writer for Reporter Newspapers and Atlanta Intown.