RALEIGH, NC &#8211 The former president of the Raleigh police union has filed suit against the department claiming he was unfairly targeted in an internal investigation that resulted in the loss of his job.

Former police Sgt. Rick Armstrong’s lawsuit also names Chief Harry Dolan and the city of Raleigh. It was filed this morning in Wake County Superior Court.

Armstrong, who worked in the department’s field operations division, was fired in July, following an internal affairs investigation into allegations that some officers had sex with a woman described as a prostitute.

At a press conference this morning, Armstrong said he had been cleared of any involvement with the woman. He said he and two other high-ranking members of the Raleigh Police Protective Association were targeted by investigators because they had pressed several issues with Dolan.

This afternoon, Dolan released a prepared statement declining comment on the lawsuit.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on personnel matters or pending litigation,” Dolan said. “I am confident the City Attorney’s Office will review the filing made today and will take appropriate action.”

Among those issues, Armstrong said, was an increase in the rate of pay that officers receive while working security off-duty at bars and other venues. He said the increase prompted many organizations to stop hiring Raleigh police officers.

“Over 100 police officers were affected,” Armstrong said.

The lawsuit claims the disciplinary action against Armstrong was meant to weaken the Raleigh Police Protective Association. It seeks to force the department to give Armstrong his job back, with back pay and other unspecified damages.

From Newsobserver.com.