Female Cop Accused of Sexual Harassment

(Fairfield, Connecticut) There's a lot of interest in the local story of Fairfield Police Sgt. Diane Krahm, a 23-year-veteran who has been accused of sexual harassment of a fellow officer, Tiffany Bennett. Hearings, closed to the public, are underway.

According to records released by the Police Department under the Freedom of Information Act, an internal investigation found that Krahm, the first female appointed to the detective division, subjected Officer Tiffany Bennett to "unwanted sexual advances, proposals and gifts" and was not "fully truthful" during the investigation.

This is the second time an internal investigation found that Krahm created a hostile work environment.

In 2004, Officer Timothy Stalling filed a complaint against Krahm, who he said repeatedly called him on his cell phone and at home, inviting him to sporting events and dinner. Just before Stalling filed his complaint, Krahm filed a harassment complaint of her own, alleging that he violated department radio policy when he gave his location as "Hello Gorgeous," to a female dispatcher. At the time, Stalling's cruiser was parked by a nail salon named, "Hello Gorgeous."

In 2003, Krahm filed a complaint of gender discrimination against the department, and when that complaint was dismissed by the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, she filed suit in Bridgeport Superior Court, claiming she was retaliated against because of her complaint against Stalling. That lawsuit was dismissed last October.

The internal investigation reveals that Krahm offered to mentor Bennett, who joined the Police Department eight years ago, as she studied for a promotional exam, but the friendship between the two began to change. At one point Bennett, who is not gay, said Krahm "made unwanted sexual advances" and tried to kiss her on the lips with an open mouth.

According to the report, Krahm said, "I think you should let me kiss you because I know you would really love it." Bennett rebuffed Krahm's advances, and Krahm began to cry, according to the report.

There is more about the relationship at the link which, frankly, reads like a soap opera. The outcome of Officer Bennett's complaint remains to be determined based upon the ongoing hearings.

However, one aspect of the situation that hasn't been adequately explained is the outcome of the complaint filed by Officer Timothy Stalling in 2004. It appears that the complaint filed by a male officer was not acted upon while the complaint filed by the female officer was. If that is true, someone should ask why.

Tip: slwlion