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Woman files lawsuit against Independence, IPD Chief

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Independence Police Chief Brad Halsey is named in lawsuit filed against the City of Independence Wednesday in Jackson County alleging harassing behavior in the department dating back to at least 2012.

The plaintiff, a former lead analyst in the police department, alleges the harassing began in 2007, when a civilian member of the police department assaulted the woman with a rolled up map.

The woman notified the deputy chief of the department at the time, but alleges nothing was done about the encounter.

A second incident is alleged in 2009, when a major in the department reportedly verbally sexually harassed the woman. This incident was also reported to the former deputy chief, of which the plaintiff said nothing was done again.

By 2012, Halsey was a deputy chief in the department and served as the woman’s supervisor. 

The suit alleges that in 2012, Halsey sent sexually offensive texts to the woman, requesting pictures of the woman’s body and of her swimming suit.

In 2013, the suit alleges Halsey asked the woman to fix his chevrons and tie and then pulled her into him in a sexually suggestive manner.

Halsey was named chief of the department in 2016.

The plaintiff says the incidents amount to assault and battery and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. The woman is asking for a judgment against the city of Independence and Halsey of $500,000 as well as punitive damages.

In a statement Thursday afternoon to 41 Action News, a city spokeswoman says the city can't comment on the lawsuit, but said they have launched an investigation into the issue. 

The spokeswoman said the findings would not be made public due to it being a personnel issue.

A judge was assigned in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for September.