City faces 2nd tort

City faces 2nd tort

By LAURA ROADY

Staff writer

BONNERS FERRY — A Bonners Ferry police officer alleges a hostile work environment resulted in sexual harassment in the city police department.

The claims follows on the heels of Sergeant Lunde filing a claim against the city of Bonners Ferry in June alleging a hostile work environment.

School Resource Officer Tiffany Murray filed a tort claim on Aug. 6 against the city based on intentional and/or grossly negligent acts by Lunde and Deputy Chief Joel Minor.

In the claim, Murray states in November 2010 Sergeant Lunde falsely accused her of breaking her audio microphone while on duty. Then in November 2011, he made a statement to other city employees that she was an “overtime whore.”

Also in Nov. 2011, she stated Lunde went through her personal hiring file without authorization, a violation of city policy.

Then in July 2012, allegedly Lunde did an internal affairs investigation on her without a formal complaint, also a violation of city policy.

Murray went to former Chief of Police Rick Alonzo at least three times to make complaints about the continued harassment from Lunde and was told she would have to learn to deal with it.

In October 2012, Murray made the same complaint to new Chief of Police Steve Benkula alleging the continual harassment from Lunde. Murray stated that Lunde subsequently took a leave of absence and the hostilities from Lunde stopped.

After Lunde came back to work in April 2013, the harassment began again at an increased level, she claims.

In June, Murray said she was encouraged by her direct supervisor to use her office at the high school and not at the police station in order to alleviate the harassment from Lunde.

After this, City Administrator Stephen Boorman complained to other city staff that Murray was not present at the Police Department. Murray also stated that Boorman made false allegations against her about trying to file a false claim of work injury to get time off work.

Murray stated she then went to her immediate supervisor, Joel Minor, to restate her complaints concerning the hostile work environment.

“Deputy Chief Joel Minor actively protected the claimant from Sergeant Lunde,” Murray’s claim states. “In exchange for this protection, Deputy Chief Joel Minor expected and requested Quid Pro Quo sexual favors and engaged in uninvited and unwanted lewd, offensive and lascivious behavior that appealed to his prurient interests. The actions of the Assistant Chief involved unwanted and offensive, verbal and physical sexual advances upon the claimant.”

Murray’s tort claim seeks $500,000 in compensation for the wrongful actions taken by the City of Bonners Ferry and its employees.

“With the recent events involving the Bonners Ferry Police Department, I would like to address the citizens of Bonners Ferry,” said Police Chief Steve Benkula.

“Our police department is facing some tough issues and I ask the citizens to not lose faith. We are addressing the concerns that developed recently and I ask that you, as citizens, be patient. Police officers are expected to have the highest ethics, be of good moral character and be honorable. Your police officers are no different! The officers working will not answer any question regarding the current events. If you have questions, concerns or even a compliment, please come see me.”

Benkula said there will be an investigation into the allegations. He could not comment on the status of Deputy Chief Joel Minor as the issue is a personnel matter. Lunde is not longer employed by the Bonners Ferry Police Department.