A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury late today reportedly handed former Burbank PD Deputy Chief William “Bill” Taylor a major court victory. I’m hearing the settlement awarded to Taylor, $1-3 million. In his lawsuit, Taylor claimed he was demoted and then fired after pointing out a suspected case of sexual harassment in the department to then Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr and Burbank City Manager Mike Flad back in 2009. Also, Taylor says in his lawsuit that he “… repeatedly complained from April 2008 through April 2009..” about mistreatment and discrimination against minority police officers. At the time, Taylor was well respected and considered to be a pillar of integrity and the “moral compass” of the BPD. In May of 2009, Taylor was demoted to captain and eventually fired.
Taylor filed his lawsuit September 22, 2009, joining at the time, four Burbank police officers, a lieutenant, and a former detective who were suing the city of Burbank for alleged misconduct and mistreatment in the BPD. In May of 2009, I began asking questions and reporting on what has become known as the “mess” in the BPD. More on Taylor’s lawsuit in this previous post.
In an article posted on the Burbank Leader website this evening Taylor’s attorney, Gregory W. Smith, is quoted as saying “… “I always believed his story. I have great faith in the justice system and I knew people would see that as well.”
The Leader indicated Smith might ask for Taylor to be re-instated as deputy chief or at least be given the opportunity to retire” honorably.”
