SEATTLE — An outside investigator will look into claims of sexism and harassment at the Seattle Police Department (SPD), according to a letter sent from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to the City Council on Monday.
The investigation comes after four female officers within the Seattle Police Department filed a $5 million tort claim against the city, outlining instances of alleged harassment by some of the department's top brass, with Chief Adrian Diaz and Sgt. John O'Neil accused of "grooming" and "predatory behavior" against women at the department.
Two other prominent women in the department have also taken legal action over allegations of gender discrimination, including Detective Denise "Cookie" Bouldin and Deanna Nollette, who was once the assistant chief over criminal investigations.
"I take these recent allegations very seriously and believe it is essential for public trust and confidence to commission an external and independent review," Harrell said.
Harrell's office has retained Marcella Fleming Reed of MFR Associates to conduct the investigation, whom he called an "expert" in investigating workplace harassment and discrimination claims. She will evaluate previous investigations into claims of gender discrimination and sexual harassment at the department and make any "needed systemic recommendations" based on her review. Her findings and recommendations will be shared with the Seattle City Council once her review is complete.
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz has continuously denied the claims brought forward by women in the department, saying the accusations against him are "false" and that he has worked to overcome inherent racism and sexism in the department during his time as chief.
The SPD Office of Public Affairs released a statement in response to the tort claim calling the allegations "personal attacks rooted in rough estimations of hearsay," which reflected "individual perceptions of victimhood" unsupported by investigations.