( CNN ) -- `` A peep show . '' That 's how attorney James Egan described the jail in Puyallup , Washington . In a lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of 12 plaintiffs -- 11 women and one man -- Egan alleges that police there recorded suspects undressing and using the toilet . Each had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence . `` For an extended period , the Puyallup Police Department has engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the fundamental rights to bodily privacy , dignity , and unlawful searches and seizures of the inmates detained within the Puyallup Police Department 's Jail , '' read the lawsuit , which was filed in Pierce County Superior Court . `` Plaintiffs had a reasonable expectation of privacy which was violated by their having been secretly videotaped in assorted states of undress . It is believed that officers may have committed this offense for the purpose of obtaining arousal or personal gratification , '' the suit continued . Police and the city deny any wrongdoing . They say suspects are given clothes to change into before having their mug shots taken , and are recorded for the safety of everyone at the jail . `` People are very creative in where they can hide things . They hide things in places you would n't image . The jail business is not fun and it 's not safe . So we have to expect the worst , '' said Kevin Yamamoto , city attorney for Puyallup . The lawsuit describes in great detail the alleged experiences of the 12 plaintiffs , who are identified by their initials . S.C. was recorded changing clothes in a holding cell . She alleges that officers made inappropriate comments , saying things like , `` I love red heads , '' and `` You have a nice body , '' the lawsuits reads . `` What they were doing is perverted . This is like a porn video they were watching . I feel extremely violated . They took me at my most vulnerable part and forced me to indulge in their needs or sick fantasy to watch me undress and gawk at me afterwards , '' S.C. is quoted as saying . Another plaintiff , identified as M.L. , was recorded using the toilet and changing her clothes . `` It was one of the worst experiences of my life because of how mean and rude they treated me . I am absolutely horrified and violated . I honestly ca n't believe it . I had no idea there were cameras around . The fact those are supposed to be police officers upholding our justice system while violating it is absolutely disgusting , '' she said . Capt . Ryan Portmann , with the Puyallup police , accused Egan of picking the 12 plaintiffs out of many possible cases because they look better on paper . Jail video monitoring is widespread . Many correctional institutions use it , and it 's legitimate , Portmann said . `` I 'm just as human as anyone else , and I would n't like it , '' said Yamamoto , the city attorney . But , he added : `` We have a facility we need to ensure the safety of . '' CNN 's Cristy Lenz contributed to this report .
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of one plaintiffs : one women and one man . `` I am absolutely horrified and violated . I honestly ca n't believe it , '' says 12 . Police and the city of Washington , Puyallup , deny any wrongdoing . They say suspects are recorded for the safety of everyone at the jail .