Mayor Henry responds to sexual harassment lawsuit against FWPD

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) A detective with the Fort Wayne Police Department filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the agency September 19.  Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry (D) said he didn't find out until about the time the news broke, nearly a month later. 

“I've consulted with our chief,” Henry said.  “He's informed me that they are on top of it…that internal affairs are looking at it as well, and I'm sure the appropriate changes will be made if dictated.”

In her lawsuit against the Fort Wayne Police Department, Bridget Glaser said back in 2010, a sergeant pressured her to view his personal pornography collection.  She claims her supervisor brought a sex toy into the office.  Glaser said that sex toy was used for inappropriate jokes and was referred to as the office mascot.

To read the entire lawsuit, click here . WARNING: This document contains language that may be offensive.

Mayor Henry said he most likely will not get involved in the lawsuit against his police department at this point in the process.  Henry said it is a personnel matter, but he prefers to know what’s going on.

“We have about 2,000 employees.  I'm concerned about every single one of them,” Henry said.  “So if there is something that comes up that causes me some angst, I certainly want to know what's going on, but then I'll let the appropriate people take the appropriate course.

The lawsuit says the department's workforce is mostly men.  It points out there are 388 male commissioned officers compared with 50 female commissioned officers.  Monday, NewsChannel 15 found that's not the ratio on the sex crimes unit.  FWPD says there are five men and four women in it.

Despite the lawsuit, Glaser is said still be working at the police department.

Henry said the city attorney and staff will soon be interviewing the police chief and others involved.  Glaser's attorney could not be reached for comment Monday.