FAYETTEVILLE — The man in the No. 2 leadership post at the Police Department retired last month after 10 female employees said he subjected them to sexual harassment and “constant touching.”
Tracey Risley, who was with the department 28 years, submitted his retirement to Police Chief Greg Tabor on March 18. It was the same day Tabor placed him on a 30-day suspension as disciplinary action.
The disciplinary action came after city officials completed an investigation of claims made by a departing Police Department employee who met with Mayor Lioneld Jordan for an exit interview. In the interview, 13-year veteran officer Mike Parks detailed complaints about the Police Department’s leadership, including Risley’s treatment of female employees.
TIMELINE
Risley Investigation
Feb. 28: Mike Parks, former Fayetteville police officer, submitted a document to Mayor Lioneld Jordan accusing Risley of sexual harassment.
March 2: Missy Leflar, human resources director, Vicki Deaton, internal auditor, and Police Chief Greg Tabor begin an investigation.
March 14: Findings of the investigation are filed with Jordan
March 18: Risley is suspended for 30 days and submits his letter of resignation, effective April 17.
Source: Fayetteville
“I was leaving the department and moving forward,” Parks said Wednesday. “I wanted to leave my fellow co-workers in a better situation after I left.”
Risley’s wife said her husband was out of town and could not be reached for comment when contacted Wednesday
Jordan forwarded the complaints to Missy Leflar, human resources director. She investigated the them with Tabor and Vicki Deaton, an internal auditor for the city. Deaton was involved because an allegation involving alleged misuse of city equipment.
Six of the seven allegations were unfounded, but after interviewing female employees of the Police Department, Lefler and Tabor determined the sexual harassment claims were valid.
“Most of the instances that I was aware of were off-color comments and things I would hear from other employees about how he made them feel,” Parks said. “It made people uncomfortable.”
The investigation concluded Risley “rubbed/massaged/caressed/touched the necks, shoulders and upper backs of at least ten women employees over the years, over whom he had rank.”
Twelve male employees offered statements backing up accounts of women being touched in an unwanted manner.
Some women reported Risley’s actions made them feel “emotionally distraught,” while others reported being “merely annoyed.”
Tabor said he wasn’t aware Risley’s behavior made the women uncomfortable.
“Have I seen him hug people?” he asked. “Yes. Do I see people hug everyday? Yes.”
Tabor said he never felt Risley behaved inappropriately toward women, adding no complaints were filed before the investigation.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with the way I perceive it,” he said. “Can a hug be inappropriate? Yes, if it makes someone feel uncomfortable.”
Tabor said Risley underwent sexual harassment training, both as a supervisor/manager in 2007, as well as discriminatory harassment training required for city employees in 2009.
According to the the investigation, Risley didn’t recall making sexual comments and never intended to sexually harass women by touching them. He said he was “trying to do something nice for them since they work in difficult jobs.”
In a March 10 meeting with Leflar, Risley pledged he would never again do anything like the actions he stood accused of and urged officials to let him keep his job.
Tabor said he didn’t feel Risley meant to cause harm toward female employees, but said his intentions were irrelevant.
“Tracey’s heart was in the Fayetteville Police Department 99 percent more than anyone that works here,” he said. “I don’t think he would do anything to harm the Police Department, but it’s not about his feelings.”
Risley was suspended 30 days on March 18, which was the same day he submitted his retirement, effective April 17.
The investigation determined he violated city and departmental policy regarding discriminatory harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
Tabor said Risley will receive full retirement benefits.
Dominic Swanfeld, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, said he was satisfied with how the department handled the complaints against Risley. “I don’t see anything else that anyone could have done,” he said. “When it came out, the city, the Police Department and HR immediately addressed it.”
Jordan said his confidence in the management of the department remains unshaken by the findings.
“I have confidence in the police chief to do the right thing,” he said.
Jordan said he’s always encouraged employees to come forward if they have complaints.
“I’ve always had an open-door policy with employees,” he said. “If there’s ever a problem, I want them to feel like they can come to me. I believe in fairness and equality of every staff member.”