by Amy Borer
Editorial Director
Allegations of discrimination, sexual misconduct and harassment within the La Verne Police Department are currently being investigated by an independent counsel for the city, according to Jeff Allred, assistant city manager.
The investigation comes after Sylvia Kellison, an attorney representing the La Verne Police Officer’s Association, presented the allegations at a public City Council meeting April 17.
According to Allred, he was directed on April 18 by the city to conduct the investigation and has hired Linda Jenson, an attorney specializing in public employee relation and personnel matters, as counsel.
Some of the allegations against the Police Department include the promotion to detective of an officer accused of violating the civil rights of a suspect; sexual relationships between officers and supervisors who occasionally work the same shift; and sexist remarks made by Chief of Police Ron Ingels to female officers.
Ingels could not be reached for comment.
“Most serious in terms of liability of the city is the sexual discrimination, misconduct and harassment, which is allowed to run rampant in the department with the knowledge and tacit approval of the Chief,” said Kellison in the speech she delivered to the City Council.
Kellison also accused the Chief of Police and the City Manager’s office of failing to take any action on similar allegations made in the past, which Allred denied.
“I was aware that the Chief of Police had become aware of some of these issues in the past few months and had taken action, including some disciplinary actions,” he said. “The allegations that the City Manager and Police Chief have done nothing about this is inaccurate.”
Investigation into the allegations, being conducted in accordance with Administrative Regulation No. 301, entitled Workplace Discrimination/Harassment Policy, began immediately. Jenson interviewed police employees Monday and Tuesday in the community center.
“It [the investigation] is going fine. I have been having very good cooperation from the city,” said Jenson. “It is going to take longer to complete than I originally envisioned.”
The next step in the confidential investigation will be to continue the interview process with all employees.
The City Council will receive a progress report about the investigation at its May 1 meeting in a closed session.
