title
SETTLEMENT OF EEOC CHARGE (B)
recommendation
The City Commission 1) approve the terms of the settlement; and 2) authorize the City Manager and the City Attorney's Office to settle the case styled Paris Owens vs. the City of Gainesville; EEOC Charge No.: 846-2008-08649.
explanation
On February 4, 2008, Paris Owens filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations alleging that she was sexually harassed by former GPD Captain Ray Weaver. At the request of the Police Department an investigation was conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The report of the FDLE was adopted by GPD's Internal Affairs. The Report found that Mr. Weaver had engaged in conduct unbecoming a department member. Mr. Weaver resigned prior to the completion of the investigations.
Ms. Owens alleged in her charge that the City was responsible for Mr. Weaver's harassment because the City knew or should have known of his harassing actions and failed to take appropriate action. She alleged that her supervisors knew of a prior act of harassment against her and did not report it. Ms. Owens was issued a Right to Sue letter by the Florida Commission on Human Relations in December 2008.
After these events, management reevaluated GPD procedures and in some cases restructured those procedures to address reporting responsibilities. Training on discrimination, harassment, inappropriate conduct and ethics was also conducted by the Office of Equal Opportunity, an outside consultant, and the City Attorney's Office for GPD. In addition, the City Manager commenced the process of including the Human Resources Department in the day to day human resource functions of the department. The Office of Equal Opportunity has also committed to have more of a physical presence at GPD, more involvement in monitoring, and when appropriate, investigating complaints of discrimination.