Police union wants Granato put on leave

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima police union wants Chief Sam Granato placed on immediate administrative leave while a new investigation is launched into a sexual harassment complaint against him.

The call to put Granato on leave is part of a grievance that the Yakima Police Patrolman's Association has filed against the city claiming that the way the city conducted an investigation of the harassment complaint violates their labor agreement.

It's also the latest chapter in a troubled relationship between the union and the chief, who has had nine lawsuits or legal claims filed against him in the past 13 months.

In its most recent action, the union claims the city has failed "to competently or fairly investigate" the complaint by Officer Stacey Andrews, who has a formal legal claim against the city for $3 million. Details of the alleged harassment have not been made public.

The grievance cites eight separate alleged violations of the contract, including the claim that the city has retaliated against Andrews and improperly paid for Granato's legal defense.

Previously, Granato's attorney has strongly denied the allegation and threatened to countersue Andrews for defamation.

Helen Harvey, senior assistant city attorney, declined to comment Friday, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. "That process needs to run its course," she said.

Granato was out of the office and unavailable for comment, according to his office, and he didn't immediately return a call to his cell phone.

City Manager Dick Zais, to whom the grievance was addressed, was sick and unavailable for comment, his office said.

Keeping Granato on the job during the investigation perpetuates the discrimination, the grievance states, adding:

"We are aware of no situation in the recent history of the YPD where an employee facing such serious allegations has not been placed on administrative leave."

The union wants the city to appoint an independent investigator to handle the Andrews complaint, saying the city compromised its independence by showing details to Granato before questioning him.

The violations of the contract, according to the union's lawyer, James Cline of Seattle, could merit a "no confidence" vote by the union membership. Cline said there are no plans "at this time" to take such a vote.