Police union grievances into allegations of gender discrimination being probed

WATERLOO REGION — Grievances filed by the police union against the service last month into allegations of gender discrimination and harassment outlined in a pending lawsuit are under investigation.

Waterloo Regional Police procedures require that any grievance must be addressed and cannot be shelved.

“I don’t speak to confidential employment matters but I can tell you we have stringent policies and procedures on investigations of workplace harassment and workplace complaints which are investigated by an independent party,” Police Chief Bryan Larkin said after a police services board meeting Wednesday.

Larkin said those investigations are co-ordinated by human resources personnel and they are confidential.

“I can’t speak to specifics to the class action lawsuit. It’s making it’s way through the judicial process,” he said.

In January, the Waterloo Regional Police Association told its members it was filing grievances in connections to allegations against supervisors.

“The affidavits contain allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination as well as workplace bullying by managers,” union president Mark Egers said in the email which was obtained by The Record.

In the email, Egers said the union is “requesting interim

remedies from the service” as the grievance proceeds.

“The association believes that all of our members should be treated with respect and dignity and we take our role as executive representative for members very seriously. We will continue to work with and for our members on advancing equality rights at the Waterloo Regional Police Service,” Egers said.

Egers could not be reached for comment.

The allegations that make up the grievances stem from affidavits from Sgt. Karin Eder and Sgt. Shelley Heinrich. Both officers are among additional witnesses in the case.

The class-action suit is led by Const. Angelina Rivers, former constable Sharon Zehr and retired superintendent Barry Zehr, who is married to Sharon Zehr, on behalf of all female members of Waterloo Regional Police.

Total damages being sought are $167 million.

The suit alleges that female officers were routinely harassed, mocked and bullied by male peers and colleagues. When they went to their supervisors and the union for help, they felt dismissed and isolated. None of the allegations have been tested in court.

Supt. Pat Dietrich is named in the gender discrimination lawsuit, in an affidavit by Sgt. Karin Eder. She alleges Dietrich sent a photograph of his penis and asked her for a naked photo of herself in return and wondered when they were going to “take it to the next level.”

She refused and he stopped talking to her.

Eder said she never made a formal complaint about Dietrich because although she was told to do it, she didn’t because she believed the supervisor would likely only get a warning.

Dietrich retired with little fanfare on Jan. 31 after spending three decades as an officer. Although Dietrich was eligible to retire, long-standing officers are often given accolades and praised for their service.

There was no mention of Dietrich’s retirement at Wednesday’s police services board meeting.

In her affidavit, Eder said the force’s lawyer Gary Melanson told her he had a dream about her and that they were “spooning” at a hotel. He complained frequently about not having sex with his then wife. He also comments on her appearance and insisted she go to his place for lunch.

Melanson remains the service’s solicitor.