Sacramento, California — The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has announced a voluntary $54,000 settlement between the City of Tehachapi and a police dispatcher over allegations of retaliation and harassment. The agreement also mandates that all staff at the Tehachapi Police Department, including managers and supervisors, undergo training on California’s civil rights protections.
Kevin Kish, Director of the CRD, emphasized that retaliation for reporting workplace harassment is illegal, stating, “In California, we all have the right to a workplace free from retaliation.” The settlement aims to ensure that employee complaints within the Tehachapi Police Department are addressed fairly and appropriately.
In 2023, CRD received a complaint from a dispatcher who claimed they faced harassment based on sex and sexual orientation within the department’s dispatch unit. The dispatcher reported that a supervisor created a hostile work environment by using offensive slurs and making derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community.
Following the report, the dispatcher alleged retaliation in the form of an unwarranted write-up and a negative job reference that hindered their chances of securing future employment.
Under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act, retaliation against employees for reporting discrimination or harassment is prohibited. The settlement includes a $54,000 payment to the dispatcher, mandatory civil rights training for all department staff, and future oversight of employment references.
