Allegations of sexual harassment within the El Cerrito Police Department continue to raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of employees. Five years ago, former police officer Sarah Perez filed a lawsuit on August 20, 2019, accusing the department of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation. Despite the passage of time and the seriousness of these allegations, the city has not reported any policy or procedural implementations to protect employees, particularly in departments like police and fire, where female employee headcount is considerably lower. This lack of action demands attention from city leadership to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
Allegations of a Toxic Workplace
Sarah Perez, one of only four female officers in the department, alleged that she was subjected to a hostile work environment, where male officers engaged in inappropriate behavior, such as changing clothes near her desk and making crude comments about her body. The harassment reportedly began as soon as Perez started her job and escalated over five years. Her direct supervisor, Sgt. David Wentworth, was accused of becoming “obsessed with her,” with the department not only tolerating but condoning such behavior.
The Cost of Silence
The lawsuit, filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court, accused the police department of failing to protect Perez from harassment by colleagues and supervisors. Her experience was not an isolated incident but a reflection of systemic issues within the department. With no admission of liability, the $544,341 settlement paid to Perez raised questions about the city’s handling of such claims. With three city council members (Fadelli, Quinto, and Abelson) present during the settlement approval, the city’s accountability was under scrutiny.
Financial Implications and Accountability
The financial implications of this settlement were alarming, especially considering El Cerrito’s ongoing fiscal challenges. While the city manager had recently proposed budget cuts affecting library hours, a significant payout was made to settle this case. The settlement specified that Sgt. Wentworth would not contribute financially, leaving taxpayers to bear the burden. This raised concerns about potential future claims and the lack of accountability within the department.
A Call for Transparency and Action
Given the seriousness of these allegations, the City Manager and Police Chief Paul Keith must address the public on what steps are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. As of now, the city has not reported any systems in place to prevent recurrence. Transparency is crucial in rebuilding trust in the community. The following actions are essential:
- Implementation of Clear Policies: The city must establish and enforce clear policies against sexual harassment, ensuring that all employees understand their rights and responsibilities.
- Training and Education: Mandatory training sessions on sexual harassment prevention and response should be conducted for all city employees, with a focus on creating a respectful and inclusive workplace.
- Independent Investigations: Harassment allegations must be investigated independently and transparently, with accountability for those found responsible.
- Support for Victims: Providing support and protection for harassment victims is essential. Employees should feel safe reporting incidents without fear of retaliation.
- Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: The department should actively work towards increasing diversity among its ranks, ensuring that female officers and other minority groups are represented and protected.
A Dysfunctional System
This case highlights the dysfunction within El Cerrito’s leadership and the urgent need for reform. The allegations against the police department and the city’s handling of the situation reflect a larger issue of mismanagement and lack of accountability. The community deserves better, and it is time for city leaders to take responsibility and enact meaningful change.
The City Manager is urged to update the community on the measures being implemented to prevent such occurrences in the future. Another $500,000 payment is not something El Cerrito can afford.
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El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 