Vancouver Police Department (VPD) spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison along with the City of Vancouver and provincial agencies have been named in a new civil suit alleging "almost daily harassment and bullying."
The civil case has been brought by Sharmini Dee, a former public relations specialist with the VPD.
In the lawsuit, Dee claims she was discriminated against, harassed, and bullied based on "her gender and/or ethnicity," according to court documents filed with the province's supreme court.
At the time of the alleged incidents, Dee was the director of public affairs for the VPD and Addison, an officer who acts as a VPD spokesperson, reported to her.
"The Plaintiff was subject to gender and racial discrimination, harassment, and bullying by Addison, other officers and the administration of the VPD," reads the civil claim. "As a direct consequence of the abuse on or about June 6, 2024, the Plaintiff resigned her position with the VPD."
The claim goes on to state that Dee's supervisors and the VPD administration failed to fulfill their duty of providing a work environment free of harassment.
"As a result of the discrimination, harassment and bullying, the Plaintiff suffered serious physical and psychological injuries, damages, out-of-pocket expenses and loss of earning capacity both past and prospective," reads the claim.
The claim further alleges there was "persistent gender-based harassment" by Addison and other VPD officers that demeaned and limited Dee. Alleged actions by Addison include threatening or intimidating behaviour, disregard of the chain of command, and withholding information from Dee that she needed for her job.
The lawsuit also claims Addison took steps so Dee would be embarrassed in front of others, rolled his eyes, and made other facial gestures during meetings when she was talking, and told her she was being set up to fail.
At times, Addison allegedly "told the Plaintiff that she was unsuitable for her job and would fail at it" and "argued that her job should have been given to him."
Further, according to the court documents, Dee was "treated differently than her male colleagues." This allegedly included "sexually explicit comments were frequently made to, or about" Dee by Addison and others.
"Due to the systemic culture of gender and racially based harassment and discrimination in the VPD, the Plaintiff was ostracized, belittled, and humiliated and her career advancement prospects limited," reads the document.
The case also alleges Addison behaved similarly in the past towards other female members of the department. It goes on to allege no action was made to stop his behaviour by the other defendants in the case (the City of Vancouver, the Attorney General of B.C., the Solicitor General of B.C., and the provincial Ministry of Public Safety).
Additionally, Dee asserts in her claim that VPD administration initially told her she "needed to make accommodations for Addison while he adapted to the Plaintiff being his supervisor."
When she complained at later dates, the claim states those complaints were never addressed and she was identified as not being a "team player."
"The Plaintiff's complaint led to retaliatory abuse from VPD Officers including but not limited to Addison, which prevented the Plaintiff from effectively performing her job," reads the court documents.
The ongoing situation led Dee to be diagnosed with "major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder," the claim indicates.
The case claims some of Addison's actions were "either calculated to, or reckless toward, harm against the Plaintiff" and "resulted in visible and provable illness."
Dee is suing for loss of income, damages, health care costs, an apology and related relief.
None of the defendants have yet responded to the allegations. No allegations have been proven in court.
The VPD has declined to comment on the issue.
"It would be inappropriate to comment on matters that are before the courts, specifically personnel matters," Const. Tania VIsintin writes in an email to V.I.A.
