La Verne Officials Discuss Workplace Harassment Policy and Recent Incident Inquiries

Concerns over workplace harassment policies took center stage during the TN POST Commission Formal Hearing on August 29, 2025, as officials grappled with the adequacy of existing guidelines in the city of La Verne. The discussion highlighted a troubling incident involving inappropriate behavior that raised questions about the effectiveness of the city's employee handbook.

Commissioner Leggins pointed out the absence of video surveillance in the HR office where the alleged misconduct occurred, emphasizing the need for better oversight in sensitive areas. The lack of a clear policy on "horseplay" in the workplace was also scrutinized, with officials acknowledging that while the handbook addresses unwanted physical contact, it does not explicitly define or prohibit such behavior.

A significant point of contention arose regarding the handling of harassment complaints. It was revealed that a third party had been involved in the investigation of a related incident, but not specifically hired to address the complaints at hand. This raised concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation and the city’s commitment to addressing workplace misconduct.

The hearing also delved into the specifics of the city’s harassment policy, particularly regarding the sharing of inappropriate images. While the handbook outlines various forms of harassment, including verbal and physical misconduct, it was noted that the language regarding off-duty behavior and the sharing of explicit content was not clearly defined. This gap in policy could leave employees uncertain about what constitutes harassment, both on and off the clock.

As the hearing concluded, the discussions underscored the urgent need for La Verne to reevaluate its workplace harassment policies. With the potential for significant implications on employee safety and morale, officials are expected to take these findings into account as they work towards creating a more comprehensive and clear set of guidelines to protect employees from harassment and ensure a safe working environment.