A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by a Hastings police officer against the village and its police chief.

Sgt. Jessie Ferreira alleged Chief David Dosin violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment when she was passed over for a promotion to lieutenant in favor of a male officer and was denied supervisory support provided to male colleagues.

The court found Ferreira did not show that the officer who received the promotion was less qualified than she was. The court also found she failed to state a claim for retaliation.

Ferreira remains a sergeant with the Hastings Police Department.

Village officials said the ruling validates their commitment to fair, lawful and ethical employment practices.

News 12 reached out to Ferreira's attorney for comment but has not received a response.

Ferreira has received numerous honors, including for her actions in 2018 when she jumped from a 30-foot Sawmill River Parkway overpass to save a 12-year-old boy's life.