Police Sergeant’s Bias Complaint Settled

The city has settled a dispute with a police sergeant who complained that the department discriminated against women and minorities.

In the settlement, George Jaramillo was promoted to lieutenant and will receive in excess of $100,000 in salary and benefits before he retires in July, officials said. He has been on administrative leave since October and will remain off duty until he leaves the department.

Jaramillo, an attorney who is serving as campaign manager for sheriff’s candidate Marshal Michael S. Carona, alleged the city squelched a report about race and gender issues in the police department because it would have been embarrassed.

Acting Police Chief David Abrecht said the scope of the report was different from what was requested, so it was never used.

“If the results show there’s a problem, we need to know. And if the results show there’s not a problem, we need to know,” Jaramillo said.

He complained to the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing in August, but never sued. The city settled in October.

“I think the city had a fair chance of successfully defending itself,” Abrecht said, but the defense would have cost thousands and stretched the case for years.