Fairbanks

Fairbanks detective cites sexual harassment in resignation

The only female detective in the Fairbanks Police Department cited relentless sexual harassment when quitting on the spot Monday.

Alana Malloy, a 16-year department veteran, also cited retaliation after she spoke up as other grounds for her resignation Monday, Alaska’s News Source reported. She also has filed a lawsuit against the department.

“It’s unfortunate that any female officer should feel like they have to put up with a certain amount of this just to participate in this field,” Malloy said.

“While I acknowledge former Detective Malloy’s contributions to the department and the community, I’m quite disturbed by the many gross misrepresentations, and outright falsehoods, stated in her resignation letter,” Fairbanks Police Chief Ron Dupee said in a email to the Anchorage television station.

“Given that Ms. Malloy is expecting to file a lawsuit, we aren’t going to publicly address all of these allegations made against former and current officers in good standing with the department, but rather, we look forward to bringing forward all of the facts, circumstances, and truths in court,” he wrote.

“Much of the allegations stem from Ms. Malloy taking issue with the department and the City’s attempt to follow the contract, as well as policies and procedures,” Dupee said in his written statement. “There are several misrepresentations that will be very obvious to the public if they have any knowledge of our police department, policies, and union contract, but much more will be cleared up in court.”

In the resignation letter, she said she suffered “toxic sexism and retaliation,” which included a supervisor asking about her sex life.

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“No woman or public servant should ever have to endure this mistreatment, and these problems have made it impossible for me to continue my employment with the City of Fairbanks and the Fairbanks Police Department,” the letter says.

Her attorney, James Davis, claimed the department retaliated against her after she brought forth complaints about a year ago. Since then, the department has attempted to sideline her and cut her out of meaningful police work, he said.

“It’s (an) unfortunate, repeat example of, whether it’s a person of color or a woman complaining about harassment, and instead of the powers that be doing anything to address those issues, they punish the complainant for complaining,” Davis said.

Malloy and Avery Thompson, another detective, are dating, the television station reported. Both checked with the human resources department before starting their relationship, and Malloy said she was told by HR officials that there is no policy violations, conflicts or concerns in equally ranking co-workers dating.

Thompson earlier this year was placed on paid leave pending an investigation. He said at the time he believed the personnel action stemmed from ongoing retaliation he had experienced for taking a stand against the treatment Malloy was receiving.

“The City absolutely takes any allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously and the administration consistently works with the leadership of various employee unions to educate city employees and hold them accountable,” Teal Soden, a spokesperson for the Fairbanks mayor’s office, said at the time.

Thompson has not filed a lawsuit, but is also represented by Davis.

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