Sergeant Who Faced Retaliation for Exposing Bad Detective Gets $235,000

 

Clackamas County has agreed to a $235,000 settlement with a Sheriff's Office sergeant who alleged agency supervisors created a hostile work environment after he complained about a veteran detective who ignored sexual assault and child abuse cases. County commissioners approved the payout Thursday.

"I hope this entire sequence of events reinforces what I have believed -- that law enforcement's authority depends on the consent and support of the public. And that law enforcement is not above the law," Sgt. Matt Swanson said in a statement.

Swanson filed the whistleblower lawsuit against the county earlier this year, naming Roberts and Undersheriff Matt Ellington, who retired last month.

Swanson alleged he was subjected to retaliation and harassment after trying in 2015 to initiate an internal affairs investigation into Detective Jeff Green.

Word of Swanson's internal affairs complaint was spread by agency brass "for the specific purpose of putting pressure" on him to withdraw it "and play ball with the command staff to cover up Det. Green's illegal activities," according to the suit. (Oregon Live, September 27, 2018)
--

When department leadership abuses its authority it will ultimately end up paying a hefty price. A hostile work environment adversely affects everyone. Congressional investigations, whistle blower lawsuits, and unfair labor practice suits are all possibilities when management abuses its authority.

I am glad to see that SGT Swanson received this settlement. If personnel in more agencies would stand up against department misconduct and abuse by management, I think that we would start to see greater trust in our officers and deputies by the community at large.