WINCHESTER, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A former police lieutenant has filed a federal lawsuit against the town of Winchester, alleging a wide range of retaliatory actions, civil rights violations, and labor law infractions during his tenure with the town’s police department.

James Fisher, who served as the department’s highest-ranking officer through multiple leadership transitions, submitted a complaint to U.S. District Court in February, claiming he was forced to resign in 2024 under pressure of termination. Fisher’s suit seeks reinstatement, unpaid wages, and damages that could total hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to the 39-page complaint, Fisher alleges the town violated the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and his constitutional rights, while also withholding more than $318,000 in overtime pay.

Fisher, a Hinsdale resident, paints a picture of a department stretched beyond capacity, with chronic understaffing and high turnover. Following the departure of two police chiefs between 2021 and 2023, Fisher often served as the de facto leader of the department. The complaint alleges he routinely worked 90-hour weeks without rest days and was denied requested time off, despite approval under FMLA.

The lawsuit asserts that tensions with town leadership escalated after Fisher supported an officer’s request for disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. That officer, Sgt. Kristopher Fox, was later terminated and settled his own federal lawsuit against the town earlier this year. During that litigation, a selectboard member acknowledged that Fox’s disability factored into the board’s decision to fire him.

Fisher claims he faced further retaliation after reporting concerns about staffing decisions, the use of uncertified officers, alleged payroll abuse, and the town’s resistance to accommodating disabilities. In one instance, a selectboard member allegedly warned him against hiring anyone else with a disability.

In what Fisher characterizes as a turning point, he reported an allegation of misconduct by another officer, Joshua Edson, who was related to a town official. Following legal guidance from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, Fisher forwarded the complaint to state police and refrained from informing local officials. According to the suit, his adherence to those directives triggered further investigations against him by the town.

In 2022, Fisher was suspended without pay, though the selectboard ultimately voted not to terminate him. He says he remained under scrutiny until 2024, when the town launched another investigation, this time into his handling of a domestic violence case. Soon after, he was placed on administrative leave and ultimately submitted a resignation letter, stating he had been “wrongfully discharged” due to “a repeated history of harassment and retaliation.”

The complaint alleges a coordinated campaign to sideline Fisher, including removing his access to the police evidence room and excluding him from hiring decisions.

The town of Winchester has yet to file a response in court.

Fisher is seeking compensatory, punitive, and emotional damages, along with reinstatement and systemic changes in town training and oversight. His lawsuit adds to the ongoing scrutiny of the Winchester Police Department, which has faced staffing and administrative challenges for more than three years.

Police Chief David Rice took over leadership in late 2023.

As of Wednesday, no hearings had been scheduled in the case.