Simi Policewoman Files Harassment Suit

A Simi Valley policewoman has sued the city, charging that she was sexually harassed and improperly demoted because she was blamed for misconduct charges brought against her ex-husband, one of seven officers named as defendants.

In a suit filed Wednesday in Ventura Superior Court, Officer Florence Trapani says she became the target of a biased internal investigation, was improperly removed from her post as a drug abuse resistance education (DARE) officer and was warned she would receive no help from other officers in an emergency after she was reassigned to patrol duties.

Trapani alleges that she was blamed for the personnel problems of her ex-husband, Michael Bender, a popular detective.

Trapani’s suit asks for an unspecified amount of money for loss of income and suffering.

“We’re mainly looking to get her reputation back,” said her attorney, William Rehwald of Woodland Hills. He said Trapani, 32, has been on stress leave from the department since her reassignment in August. Bender, 34, also is on leave.

Simi Valley City Atty. John Torrance, City Manager Lynn Koester and Police Chief Lindsey (Paul) Miller declined comment. Officials have said privately that the Police Department became ensnared in the divorce and ensuing child custody fight between the two officers.

Bender and Trapani were divorced in 1985. Trapani had been widely recognized for her work in the DARE program. Bender was named the department’s officer of the year in 1983 and has repeatedly earned the title “Toughest Cop Alive” in the biennial World Police and Fire Games.

Rehwald said the couple’s divorce became a smoke screen for gender discrimination in the Police Department.

Eight of the department’s 105 officers are women.

According to Rehwald, Trapani’s problems began last winter when she accused Bender of attempting to fondle her in the police gym. During the department’s ensuing investigation, evidence surfaced that Bender had secretly taped conversations with his ex-wife and others, a violation of state law. The district attorney’s office declined to prosecute.

The department’s charges of sexual harassment and making illegal tapes were eventually sustained against Bender. He has appealed to the city Personnel Department. Bender faces a possible 10-day suspension and pay cut of $115 per month for a year.

Harassment of Trapani by other officers became so intense that Miller decided to transfer her to the Ventura County Police Academy as a training officer until the controversy died down, Rehwald said. The suit says Trapani was told in writing that her reassignment was temporary and that she would be returned to the DARE program in six months.

According to the suit, she was removed from the DARE program instead and assigned to patrol duty, only to be told by a supervisor that fellow officers would not back her on the street or respond to her radio calls for help.

Named as defendants were the city of Simi Valley; Miller; Bender, and Officers Michael Brewer, Rex Jones, Gary Collins, Ron Lompart, John St. Laurent and Glen Peterson.