Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley is under fire for failing to disclose claims of sexual misconduct against the woman she chose to head Berkeley’s police department.
Jennifer Louis was selected as police chief by Williams-Ridley in October, but her confirmation was soon derailed. It has been revealed that Louis allegedly made harassing comments to three women in the department several years ago.
A 2017 investigation conducted by an outside law firm upheld one of the three claims. Louis appealed and Williams-Ridley issued her a “written reprimand” in lieu of suspension. That write-up was later removed from her record.
City leaders expressed disappointment that Williams-Ridley did not disclose these facts to the City Council, nor to the Police Accountability Board. Because they were unaware of the allegations, Council members did not question Louis about them during their interviews.
“I am concerned about the city manager not informing us as she proposed the appointment,” Councilmember Kate Harrison told the Los Angeles Times, which first broke the story about the sexual harassment probe.
Police Accountability Board Chair John Moore said the board would discuss the matter at its meeting on Jan. 9.
Louis continues to deny any claims of misconduct against her.
Image Credit: Berkeley Police Department