Woodland detective set to sue city

June 06--A detective with the Woodland Police Department has filed a tort claim with a slew of misconduct allegations against interim Chief Brad Gillaspie.

Detective David Plaza filed the claim Thursday, notifying the city of Woodland about his intention to sue for no less than $2 million. The claim accuses Gillaspie of engaging in a pattern of invasions of privacy and sexual harassment involving young females and using racial slurs aimed at Plaza.

Plaza'sVancouver attorneys, Greg Ferguson and Jack Green, say their client brought complaints about Gillaspie to Mayor Grover Laseke before he became the interim chief. They allege that instead of investigating Gillaspie, Laseke gave him a warning, then a promotion.

Earlier this year, Plaza was placed on paid administrative leave on allegations that he stole a digital camera from the department, according to the claim. His attorneys contend Gillaspie made the move in retaliation for Plaza's complaints.

The camera was a gift Plaza picked up at a training session, his attorneys said. Plaza maintains he was punished for not properly notifying the department that he had received the camera.

"It's not as if I forgot to log it in," Plaza said in a statement. "There is simply no process or procedure for doing that in place at the Woodland P.D."

Gillaspie notified the Washington State Patrol about the camera, leading to a criminal investigation into Plaza, who remains on administrative leave, his attorneys said.

Laseke declined to comment on Plaza's allegations and as of press time, Gillaspie had not responded to a request for an interview. Laseke said the situation is an employee disciplinary matter and it will be referred to the city's insurance carrier for review and an investigation, a standard procedure in cases like this.

Plaza, who says he is of Filipino, Mexican and Italian ancestry, is demanding compensation from the city claiming he has suffered emotional and professional harm from his work with Gillaspie and his suspension.

Plaza's attorneys said the detective felt he had few places to go for help and that he had little confidence that he could find support from his colleagues. He turned to the attorneys because the allegations pertained to his superiors, they said.

"When the problem resides at the top of the food chain, the workplace becomes infected with bias, and the employee's efforts to follow policy are usually futile," Ferguson said in a statement.

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