City plans sexual misconduct 'refresher' in '18
Mayor: We all have to be cognizant and careful
The city of Medina is planning a sexual harassment and discrimination refresher for municipal supervisors in 2018. File image
The city of Medina is planning a sexual harassment and discrimination refresher for municipal supervisors in 2018.
MEDINA – Every week, it seems there is a new national news cycle about a public official, broadcaster, journalist or entertainer being accused of sexual harassment or misconduct. The allegations range everywhere from verbal comments to much more severe incidents like assault.
Within the city of Medina’s government, Mayor Dennis Hanwell said it is very important to him to “educate (employees) and make them understand” the responsibilities and consequences involved in unethical and immoral behavior.
Hanwell, who is heading into his third term, said he is looking into a “refresher” training exercise in 2018 for all municipal supervisors when it comes to the city’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies. There hasn’t been any such training for supervisors since 2012, which came just months after an incident.
The last time all city employees underwent training was 2009, though new employees are always required to sign off on an understanding of the city’s extensive document defining sexual harassment in great detail.
“It’s something we all have to be cognizant of and careful of,” Hanwell said. “We try to have the training to reinforce that, but it’s something we constantly have to keep an eye on and at times, it’s difficult.”
Only two major incidents during the last five years stick out to Hanwell, adding he “can only recall a few of them” in his nearly 35 years of working for the city.
After a short investigation in 2013, the city’s then-chief building official, Steve Vogel, was terminated for sexual misconduct after allegations from multiple female employees described “un-welcomed” comments and physical contact over a period of time.
An investigation in 2012 placed the city’s then-police chief, Pat Berarrducci, on a four-week suspension without pay after multiple female dispatchers accused him of making a sexual hand gesture during a meeting.
“We don’t have a set schedule. I didn’t realize it hadn’t been since 2012,” Hanwell said of the training. “Had this come to my attention sooner, we would’ve done one in 2016 or sooner.”
On who conducts the training, Hanwell said the city, during his time as mayor, has previously brought in a representative from the Fraternal Order of Police, who has investigated sexual misconduct cases before, as well as an attorney who litigates on the federal level and also has experience with such cases.
“To have someone come in with that experience and share how easily or quickly somebody can end up in a troublesome position, I think it’s helpful for people to hear it instead of learning the hard way,” Hanwell said.
Within the city of Medina’s government, Mayor Dennis Hanwell said it is very important to him to “educate (employees) and make them understand” the responsibilities and consequences involved in unethical and immoral behavior.
Hanwell, who is heading into his third term, said he is looking into a “refresher” training exercise in 2018 for all municipal supervisors when it comes to the city’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies. There hasn’t been any such training for supervisors since 2012, which came just months after an incident.
The last time all city employees underwent training was 2009, though new employees are always required to sign off on an understanding of the city’s extensive document defining sexual harassment in great detail.
“It’s something we all have to be cognizant of and careful of,” Hanwell said. “We try to have the training to reinforce that, but it’s something we constantly have to keep an eye on and at times, it’s difficult.”
Only two major incidents during the last five years stick out to Hanwell, adding he “can only recall a few of them” in his nearly 35 years of working for the city.
After a short investigation in 2013, the city’s then-chief building official, Steve Vogel, was terminated for sexual misconduct after allegations from multiple female employees described “un-welcomed” comments and physical contact over a period of time.
An investigation in 2012 placed the city’s then-police chief, Pat Berarrducci, on a four-week suspension without pay after multiple female dispatchers accused him of making a sexual hand gesture during a meeting.
“We don’t have a set schedule. I didn’t realize it hadn’t been since 2012,” Hanwell said of the training. “Had this come to my attention sooner, we would’ve done one in 2016 or sooner.”
On who conducts the training, Hanwell said the city, during his time as mayor, has previously brought in a representative from the Fraternal Order of Police, who has investigated sexual misconduct cases before, as well as an attorney who litigates on the federal level and also has experience with such cases.
“To have someone come in with that experience and share how easily or quickly somebody can end up in a troublesome position, I think it’s helpful for people to hear it instead of learning the hard way,” Hanwell said.
