Former Ferndale Police lieutenant files discrimination suit against city

PETER JENSEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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FERNDALE - A former Ferndale Police lieutenant is suing the department and the city in federal court for $1.5 million and reinstatement to his old job.

Travis Glass, who left his position as part of a settlement agreement with the city in February, originally filed the lawsuit in Whatcom County Superior Court this summer. It was moved to U.S. District Court in Seattle in late October. Patricia Buchanan, the city's attorney in this case, said that venue is more appropriate because Glass accused the city of violating a federal anti-discrimination law.

Glass was the acting chief of the department for parts of 2004 and 2005 after former Chief Dale Baker was fired. Glass resumed his job as lieutenant when current Chief Michael Knapp was hired.

In the lawsuit, Glass accuses the city of discriminating against him because of a medical condition he has and because of his sexual orientation.

Glass' attorney, Deborra Garrett, did not return a call seeking an explanation of those accusations.

Glass was accused in mid-2007 of improper conduct after a woman working in the department's support staff, and under his supervision, said he made sexually inappropriate remarks to her while working, according to records of the complaint obtained by The Bellingham Herald.

While investigating that complaint, the department uncovered 18 more complaints against Glass, including accusations that he undermined sergeants' authority and hurt the department's morale with negative and hostile comments, according to records of the complaints.

The investigation culminated with a hearing in January 2008 to determine if discipline was necessary, Buchanan said. During this hearing, Glass defended his conduct and said the comments toward the woman were intended as jokes.

He also said that if he undermined the authority of people working under him or if he hurt department morale, it was unintentional.

While none of these complaints resulted in disciplinary action, Glass opted to enter into a settlement agreement with the city, Buchanan said.

As part of the February settlement, Glass was required to voluntarily resign. Glass never signed the agreement, though Buchanan said he orally agreed to it, and reported to work in March. He was sent home and the city then sued him in June for breach of contract to force him to comply with the agreement.

That breach of contract lawsuit is still pending in Whatcom County Superior Court.