Largo workers to get sexual-harassment training

A sex scandal and lawsuit prompt the city to order 1,200 workers and volunteers to attend classes.

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 24, 2000

LARGO -- A sex scandal and unrelated harassment claims involving Largo police officers have prompted city officials to require all city employees and volunteers to take sexual-harassment training.

"A lot of times, people just don't understand harassment and the sensitivities around it," said City Manager Steven Stanton.

He said he began thinking about the training during an investigation this spring into allegations Largo officers were having improper relationships with young women who wanted to learn more about the department.

In the past two months, three women who worked for the department have said they were harassed by Largo officers.

The training will be begin in about three weeks, starting with all supervisors, city officials said.

The last time all city employees took sexual-harassment training was in 1994. The training was a part of sensitivity classes taught shortly after the city was sued by two men who said they were victims of discrimination and harassment by the Fire Department. The city settled their case for $50,000.

The city has about 800 employees and an estimated 400 volunteers.

Supervisors last went through sexual-harassment training about two years ago, said Pat Catalano, the city's personnel manager.

Stanton said the training will begin in about three weeks and will consist of identifying sexual harassment, what conduct is not appropriate and how to deal with it. Other details have not been completed.

"We need to be real clear about what the expectations are," Stanton said.

Catalano said supervisors will be trained by Tom Gonzalez, an attorney hired to advise the police department in its investigation of alleged misconduct by Largo officers with police Explorers, a Boy Scouts program that provides on-the-job training for youth ages 14 to 21. Catalano said the trainer for other city employees and volunteers has not been determined.

The Explorer investigation, which began in late March and ended in early May, found that three Largo officers had sexual relationships with Explorers.

Two officers, Karl Gracy and Sgt. Scott Dorflein, were suspended for what was ruled inappropriate activity with female Explorers. Police Sgt. Melanie Holley was given a written reprimand for not reporting facts and rumors of improper relationships between officers and Explorers.

Last week, Gina Mazzaro, a volunteer with the Police Department, was asked back to work. She had been dismissed after a hearing was held on her allegations that Dorflein suggestively touched her and made a lewd gesture in front of her.

Jennifer Hallgren, a former police recruit, sued the city earlier this month, claiming a fellow recruit repeatedly rubbed her shoulders and back against her wishes. She also said police supervisors told her she would not make it as an officer because she is a woman.

City officials deny that allegation.

Last month, Catalano determined after a four-month investigation that police administrators, including Chief Jerry Bloechle, did not properly handle complaints by Nanalee Matthews, another volunteer. Matthews said Dorflein made kissing sounds to her in the department lounge. She also said former police spokesman Mac Williams tried to hug her after he was told to stay away from her.

Matthews, who has since resigned from the department, said she welcomed the plans.

"I think it's great," she said. "It's badly needed. I'm very glad to see that they are making changes. It makes me think what I went through did the city some good."

Harassment training is not a new concept in the area. Pinellas Park requires all its employees to go through four hours of sensitivity training once every two years. All Clearwater managers and supervisors must go through harassment training at least once within a two-year period, said Frank Klim, a spokesman for the city. If a harassment issue is raised within a department, Klim said the manager can ask for classes for employees within that department.

Largo officials have not computed how much the training will cost. Stanton said cost concerns should not override the importance of making sure all employees and volunteers understand what is acceptable behavior.

"It's money invested in the most important resource you have," he said.

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