City settles harassment lawsuits with officers

Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

Two North Las Vegas female police officers received settlements in separate sexual harassment cases Wednesday night.

The North Las Vegas City Council approved a $75,000 settlement for Patricia Willems and $35,000 for Pamela Sword-Frakes.

The two alleged that the department allowed a hostile work environment and sexual discrimination. Willems said she was passed over for a promotion because of her age and gender.

Willems filed suit in federal court on Dec. 11, 2001, alleging harassment since 1992. Sword-Frakes filed her suit on Jan. 28, 2002. Both still work for the department.

Attorneys who reviewed the cases for the city recommended settling the complaints because a trial could have cost the city $150,000 for each case, Chief Deputy City Attorney Leslie Nielsen said.

Recent evidence in both cases was investigated, Nielsen said. But some of the allegations dating back 10 years were impossible to probe, she said.

The settlements also were suggested by the staff because past police department management practices did not recognize or prevent violations of the city's anti-harassment policies, Nielsen said.

"The new chief is committed to enforcing the city's policies," she said.