ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE TRIAL COURT

OFFICE OF AFF'IRMATIVE ACTION

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1NVE~TIGATION REP()RT
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#20Q6-.M.-OOI

~*'*Confidential***,

Complainants:

Date, Filed: January 13. 2()06

IriveS1i1gator: Mirii B. D@1ldridge

Affinrultive.:Action Officer

~ate Completed:

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Table ofContents

#2006-AA-OOl

A :Complaint , : . 3

B. The. Investig~tion Process .

1: P.ersons Interviewed................•..............................:....

2. Documents ·.~ ~ , ; :.~ . 7

. .
3. Relevant Polici,es and Proced~e~ :..: . 1

c. BackgrmmdlnfonnatiQn

. 1. West Roxbury Workforce·COJlilposition : , 8

2. .' Complainants ~ ~ ,•• ~ ~.................... . 9

3.·' . Person Complained of .: ~.~ : ~ .•....: 9

A. Notification of Complaint :..: ~~_ . 9

D. . . Areas. of ConcelJl

L' Conu:~lUnitYStWerVision .t\sSi~ents Revoke<l'..: , . 11

1.. Disparate Tr~atment ~~...•.....;..~ : .. 12

. Co
. 1. . '. ID.pen.~tOIY time
. ~ . 12
iL Harassing treatment (general). '" '" . 13
~.. H. atl:Issmgtr~~ent
:ttl. . . ax:kin)
g (p'
~ ~ . 13

3.. CPO Rush's Inappropriate CQmmuilication. .. 14

4. ACPO's Assigned to the·front counter , .. 15

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5.. Minimize management position of ACPO's..................... 16

. 6. Flexible. Work Hours ~ :........ 18

7. Retaliation ~...................................... 19

E.. James Rush, ChiefProbation Officer' s' ResponSe.: ~ . 22,.'23

OCP0767
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OFFICE OF AF,FIRMATIVE ACTION

. INVESTIGATION REPORT #2006-AA-OOl
***'ConfidentiaI***

A The Complain~

On January 13, 2006, five probation department employees assigned. to th~ West Roxbury
.Division ofthe BMC (445. Arborway, West Roxbury, MA), DIed a complaint alleging race· ~d
. sex di~flminatiofi against ChiefProbation Officer James Rush. The ~mployeeg.are named below:

. Helen Brown, Assistant ChiefProbation Offioer

Mary Ttacey-Walsh, Assistant ChiefProba~on Officer
Felisba Amold,Prebation Case Specialist .
. , 'Probation Officer
.Idaliz Santos . .
Crystal A- Young, P:roba1;ia!! Officer c.
. '. ' .
The e:omplaifiatits alleged that CPO ~sh is discriminating against t~em hased {In:.

• racism"
• . . sexism

The 'comtJlainants
- des.cribes CPO Rush's:treatment towar:dthem as. follows:
"

. .
• . •••ab.tfs.fve.· tindhostile treeittn.ent.--:I8.cKs :respect .•.f~l-s thFeaterted and. intimidated....
.' his behavior Is sexist racist and bias.~.'tJeJ!Yingme union' rights and hindering me from
.' . peifarniing"my job duties when i-t i:nvah'e'S. comnttmity supe-rvision....

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repeated ·i~icknts. ojsexual discriminatio~ and retalitIti~n.. .l am spoken to.

.'
•
disre¥Jectfully and disciplined infrom ojco-workers and the.public..•f am being'
undermined as a supervisor~.~.· .

.. .... witnessed Mr. Rush peing... demeaning, rude t.o the ather wf>1!len in the o.ffice... riJde,
sexist, ll1ifair, non-cOoperative, cause chaos...

•••demeanirlg, accusatory; hostile, mistrusting,. sexist, rQf;ist..Jelt humiliated,

threatened..

• ....inappropriate., racist, unfair,. bit1Sed~.creates. t;tntaganisni whic-h leadsto a hostile .

wOl'/dng invironment... .
" .
.AssiStant Chief~rebation Ofticers Helen Brown and "Mary '.F~a~ey Walshalleged"that they meet
with James Rush, ~ PIisoo and Mark McHale seve{~. tiBies; 'but there was' no resolution to
t.heir ~s.: In fact,; theN ~eged they experienced
" . 1T~taliation try CPO Rblsh.· .

The' probation d~aitmeitt em,ployees alleges th~t this' typ"e efh~assment from Mr. Rush is
. on-gpiiig: becaus¢,~ey. .f:~ th.at he' is. eo~tantly approaehiitg them ina. manner 'Mrere the¥ feel.
they are bemg threaten.ed by him. They allege· that Mr. Rush is' discriminatory 'towards them
becau~ of raee- (3 BlaCk. fettia1~S') and sex (5. females).

lit accordance with the AdminiStrative Office ofthe' Trial'Contt's A,filrmative Action Plan, this
..in.v:esti~ti61i-W.as promptedhy-the filing of c.onw1aint #20o.Q·-AA-OQ,L·

::8. . .The InveStig~tkm ProooSs:

1.. Dates ofInterv.i.ew . .Persons. Interviewed

. January· J 0.,. 2006* HelenB~

... Janmuy'13, :?o.Q6 . Assistant ChiefP"rdbation Officer
. Januaiy l8:,"2006 Cmnplajnant·
.january 23, 29.q.6*
F.ebruary· 1. ~6*
Febr,tiary·3, 2006
.FebruarY 2~.2006*
May ~" 2006~
May 16; 2006
June 15, 2006

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Dates' ofInterview Persons.Interview~d

January 13, 2006 Mary Tracey-Walsh

. Januazy 18, 2006 Assistant ChiefProbation Officer
. Febroary 3, 2006* Complah.1ant
February 22,2006*
May l~, 2006'
June 15, 2006

J$luary 13, 2006 Felisha Arnold

Probation Case Sp.ecjalist
Complainan~

. january 13,2006 Idaliz; Santos

. Probatio~· Officer
Co~ainant'

. January 13,2006 Crystal A ¥.oung

Probation Ofih:;er
C~mplainant .

!a.nuary 13, 2006 Joan I:Iogan

Office. Manag~

January 20" 2006* Angela ·White

Intern

JanuarY 20, ~006*' AP-tb.ony Owens .

.A$istant Clerk Magi~te; Dorob:este.r. Dis.trict
$.Qro;lef ClUe.fPrQba:tton Officer ~ W:. Roxbury)

Janumy 18, 2006· Judge ~jueen CpffuY

Fir&t Justice.

January ! 8, 2006 James. Rush .'

January. 26, 2006* Chief'Prob?tion Ofi.i:cer
June 15, 2006 PerSon cOmplamed Of

*(Note: TelephQne:interview.)

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 Dates ofInterview . .Persons Interviewed

January 1~, 2006 1-iark Prisco

· January 26, 2006* 1Sf Assistant Chief Probation Officer
June 15, 2006

January' 26,.. 2006 Mark McHale

June21,2006. Regional SuPerVisor .
-Office ofCommissioner ofProbation

February 6, 2006 Larry Cargill

Union Representative.
NAGE .

· June 20; 2006 Kevin Brennan .

'Probation Officer

!~20,20tl6 David. Giac~}(:>ne

r Probation O:ffi.cer

June 20, ·2006 Willi.~ Joyce

. Prob.ation OfUcer
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B~d McNichols
Probation Officer

· June 20; 2006 Logan Ritchi~ .

Probation Offi:~

.' Jl,Ule 20, 2.006. Lucinda Matos

PF9bation Officer

June 21,2006 Elizabeth -Tarvare.s

First'DePuty CoIDmi.ssipner

JUly. 11, 2006** Adita Vazquez

Pr.obatiop- Offiqer

*.(Note: Te1epho~ interview.)

.'.. **(Left at~l~hone.message. No return call.}

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 2.' DoCuments Reviewed

In the coUrse, ofthis ,investigation documents were'secured and reviewed. These

,documents fuclude, but are not 1imit~ to, th~ following:

- ~elen Brown's Affirmativ.e AetionIBEO.Complaint Form, fll~ Janl:laiy 18, ,2006;

.: Mary Trac.~y-Walsh'S: A1Iinnative AetionJEEO Compla.int F'oIll\ filed: 1~uary' 1&, 2006;.

- FeIisha Amol~'.~ Affirmative Actio~O Complajn~,Fonn, filed January 18, 2006;

. ,

- Crystal A Young' ~ ~ve: A-ctiQnlEEO Complaint Form;. filed' J~ 18~ 4006;

- Crystal A Yo~g-Cbronology:of:events from Sept. '2005 thoqgh Dec. '2005

,(atta~hed);

- Idiiliz. Santos:'Affumati:ve ActionIBEO Compiaint Fonn" filed JanuarY 1&" 2006;' ".

.:, - IdatiZSantos-Petso1181 a~Uilt .of d~scriminatory .treatment (attached);

,- :AfficlaV-it (~gela ~);.·signed.M~ 10~ 2@Q6..

'. -. lob p..escription .and. ~a1ffi.cati()DS fO,r A'SSi~tant ChiefProba(ion Officer

- Job- DeScription alia· Quialifications for Pr.obati@n:Ojjie.er

3. R.ele.vailt Policies. and Proc.edures.

. .Job
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Descripti();n·.and Omllifieatioits
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for A$si$lant ChiefProbatio».
'. .
OtJieer
.
. . ' .
~.-assistant. ,oma ptPbauon·ofiiQet, as ~pervis9r, .~der.the supetvision:.ofthe Chiefpro~ati()n'
am~ ~i;hhe: fu'&t assistant:.chief pr.(J.b~~ o:flii~~t~ :w.~1fe.' appli~!> ha~.du~~l r~otisii>iljti~ t.o.
h-elp, tliro-se ·V;J.hom··1idSh~.sup.etvi$eS-t.o carry: out 1heirjobs with itlcreasing oompetenc.e, and to-see'
-that. the: court wotk is' .cariied 9ut . .'

Perfum:is various; ~~ relat1o~.aGtivities). such"as, addressing 1.lei~bo.rhQod: groupS:.. seNDg;

:on ~mmittees, .and,' panicipating in, coJ;lferences, panelB a:D.d other app'rov.~ ·.community planning
amvmes. wili~lni'd.d:resS servicedelivery to '$e. court..

.Pe!f".rtns $Uell ether duti~ as 'n1aY b~.assign:ed·:bY the ju4ge, COmmis"SiOD~,. chief probati.o~
ofiicer:or mst ~. chief ptoh~n officer, in RGCOrd'anc.e·witb,·the standar~· of~e·f·Fo.b.atiOn: .
.Service and .aIly-, s~aliZed needs oftlie CQUIt.

OCP0772
 Attlde xvn ~ Hours and Conditions of Employm.ent
(The. Tri6J. Comt of.M;a:ssachusetts (Employer) .and The Service Employees lntemational Uni.on,
Local 256 AF.L-CIO (Union): July 1,2000 - June 30,2003.).
. .
Section 17;..09 Commuil.ity Supervision ·by. Probation Officers. The parties agree to
.. implement: the Community·Super.yision Initiativ.e as .follo:~s: .

1_ Community sJ;lpervisioD duties shall in~Iude stlp-eivising o.ffendersllitigoots. within the

at
cotrimunity and ~mmonity .corrections'centers, developing and conducting'
.. programs for. rehabilitation in· accordance, With established st&nda,t'ds,referring..
'. offen.dersltifigants to social agencies .tq 'assist mrehabilitapon,. a:d:tnitt~g off:enders
. to th~ eleCtric monitoriiIg pmgtam ~d adIninistering. the; ~ollitoring, devices: and
.adri:rinistering subStanc~ a1?u.Se ·~s m3ccordance witb Trial 'CQurt Srtbstance Abuse
.Testkg Protosols.. sOOn .duties: maybe pet!fm,nred- .&iiriit1! rSiular.wilm h:o.u~, or. " .
. ~uring' after.Jlours. .. .. . . '. .. . .' '..

'2. The p.~e& mutuidly agree· that v<fl!'uDtarY Participation: ~s the~'t)jrefettedmetho(f: .of. .
'performing community· sup~rvision duties outside:r.egular work hours.

C. . Baekgr01md. Imoi'InatiOl'l

1. WorkforCe COIDpositioD!W~t Roxbuty Division afth;e BMC

'The WorkfQt6'e :~YSis Suminary ,generated 'as' ()f3110/06~ iridicates. tb&t there are· totai of.. a
'twenty (2.Qi} pfOootion department. emplo.yees;. 7 .min.mity.·empioyees, (3,5%. minority) .alia
J:2 female .employees (60% female)..

.. . eigJilt males' (1 Wh1t.e;.lBlack) '.

-. twe~e feIilale~ (t; Wbil:e; 2 Black; 3 Hi:sp~c;'l'Cape Ver.d.ean) .

The,IIonurable Katb1. c<irlte.y is. the· First..,usti~:~. Westi~,oxb.ury :DMsipa: of~he, :6M~ •. ' .
.T.he·FirSt Justice has gen.~ra1 supervision.. 'Over all·coun ~mploYees, .

OCP0773
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2. Comp~ainants

Assistant ChiefProbation Officer ·Helen·Brown, has been a probation department employee for
the past thirty-~ne·years. She alleges CPO Rush is unfair, racist, disrespectful and his harassment
toward her is. oli-going.

Assistant ChiefProbation Offioor Ma'" Tracey W:tlsh was .promoted.to. her present positio~. in
February 'ZOOS. Since thattinle, she repofl;ed that Mr. Rush has done things to her in th~ .
. workplace. which she. describes' as blatant harassnie1lt S4batage~ :eontrol....tindef?11itle.:..
l'etil/iati~n.~ ..sexist tr:etttmen·L...no·SNpJJOrl...• .yeils. ~

'H-elen BrQwn and Mary Tracey-WaJsh~ Assistapt ·ClJiefPropatton O.flice1;s, reported. that they
resp~d the internal bietarc1,J.y and the '~chain,vJco'litmmur by elev.atlng- their eolnPlaUlts .and
. concerns to· :t1Ieir·sl:lperiQrs. To. date~ they rep.prted thai nothing has .been done. to. feSQlv~ their
nUfilefeus oomplaint.s.agamSt ChiefProob~ti\j}n: Officer Jam.es·J.laish.· .

.' '3. :t~8~ cempmmtd~ ~f

. -aam·e,s.RuSh.,..ChiefPtohation. Officer. and pelroon:c~nwlain.ed e(, w$ proIb.:gted: to bis e.utr~Jilt.

. pQSi1ien ~ May, 2004. P!i:qr t9 that; he.was.an .AsSistant C~(1983-~e04). and.,a probation
atlieer (1963-1983}. Ivh". Rush us~d the f~o.wing teiins· to desmfue.~lf.: ... old schooL..
. faIr_•.. not·a finger pointer.....cf!)Jar bJiitd... :h~l.p.fu.l.Mr. !tush. repor.ted that state wor1..--ers.are .
.' : .eonsider,ed.,Public ser.vants.. and have. an: obligation t.Q s.erve. the: public. we.lL

'.

4". Notifi~Oil. o.f -Coinpla~nt

. HeienRrown and Mary Tracey-Walsh: r.ep.~rted. that they first met witb 1st Assistant CPO Mark
Prisco a'number of .titnes..aboutthe. aliove:aUe~'tkin$:.and he infurmed them.that lte.·¢€jurd- nat d¢·
.:anythlng,a\iout $,e. ·situation. ..' .....: .

Th~ACPo.'·s re,P9{ted '~li~y,:ais:~} caled:Regjoo~ s.up.~SQr'·MarkMeH~~.i~;May· ~Z.OOS~. and·

"
told hiin:abou;t-ChiefProbation O£Iiper James B.U$h's hoitt/e v.er.baltY:obuSi'p.e tri{arment;.. Jap1tvj
re8piiet,. Uf).fair. tTf-e.Uf!n-etlf and (J)h..gtJing·har.asSnJe1i{f.ew~dthet.n. .Th~·request.ed·tha.t ~ni'OOne
$~ to 'CPO Rush to·re~iv.e :the issu.es, .

.In September" 2005, ACPO's meet wi~R.egi.o~ Admiriist:ta;tor Mark M~~~ CPO Rush ~
.~Mtbem in the Qffi~ se~ely t9 diSCUSs on-going cOrop: ~e '.is~s,be.eau·~ they were·.still-
1.\"";""", ..1·........:.~~·th·
~&:U~
._.. "h"t0.. ~
e OPP0.l'~Uint"'J' .."ty'" •..' . . , At ...1...:....:.,,:-..... ·· ...1:.. n.A·:~~"..t
p~uQm commwn.., t ~$Wn..· "'UHli1- ~ue;. We·l.\n.'wUIUU-.u
.~Sb: tQ allow ~CPQ"s to .perfb~ ~nnnuni~'sup~sion:aspart nftheir job' dtltieS ajid as uniQn
.. oontract states in Section 17JJ9·.

OCP0774
 .Oti January 9, 2.006, :five employees info~ed First Justice Kathleen Coffey oftheir concerns and
frustration-sand 'that there had been no resolution to their numerous and shared complaints
·regarding. CPO Rush's daily disrespect, hostile and discrimirtatory treatment against 1;4em and
no resolution via chain ojcommand:.

Helen Br6~ ABsistant ChiefProbation Officers

Mary, Tracey Walsh,. Assi~t Chi~fProbation Officers
Crystal YQung, Pro.bari'on officer
idaliz Santos
. ~
Probation Officer . .
.F.elisha Mni;>ld, Probation Case Specialist
. . .
On January l.t 2006,. ACPO Brown ciill~ RAMcHale and. told him·that S0il1etbing needSito be .
· :qone 'beCause they Me· working in :a hostile en~onmeIl;t and they .ar:e t1feQ .ofbeitrg·~,used,
·harasset:t ~eated unfairly and dfsresp=ed OR a dmlY. basis.
Onlanlilm.y 12,.2006, at 1:15pm. until3:-15:pmRAMatkMeHale,'CPO Rush, l~A'CPO:Prisco, :
·ACPO.Btown ancl''rracey-Walsh ll1eet to discuss all of their c.on\rems. The ACP(Ys reported to .
'. this: me.stigatof that theY. felt as if they were beiiJg disciplined: They also. were made.to fe.el that
· ·they 'h~d ·c.ot:tlmitted:a. ·mme.. It was .a]$o. made ,cleat: to· the. ACPO?s that they ~er.e no.! .to· go to
· t};te First J~C'e, witll their c:o~plsints. The: ACF.Q's· were. toJd.to.gp. tho~ the'chain oj
.com1JiandHowev.er;$heir Wtnp,laints were not:being ~soived because their cO~p'laints is against
CP@· Rush: who stated' he is the chain ef oommed. A meeting WEtS rescheduled 'fur Jannary,: 2olh,
. :but never happened." .

Otl 1~' 13" 200.6.;. ACPO Br:o~ Tf.aq~y..Waish and·e.thers- ~ed :Mira·;R .Dandridg¢, tire
. A.ffim;iatiye Action Officer, to file ·a dise.rfrnination complaint because '$ey felt that their'isS'l.'J.eS
.w¢r.e:.not being ad4res:~. ~d notbing. was: being done~ A fonn~ in:v~igatioll was. pmnql'ted Via
·fhe Adminis.trati'v~ Office ofthe Trial Court.. .' .

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OCP0775
 Mark McHale, Regional Supervisor of Suffolk County reported th~t he supervises eleven courts
'and each ChiefProbation. Officer determines their own operanopa1 needs, including the number of
, probation Offi~' needed to covet community supervision. Mr. McHale reported,that' CPO Rush ,
,creates a schedule two weeks in advance to ensure that there is ~equate Coverage for night
, reporting' and conn:nrinity ~p.ervision. h1r. :McI1aJe ,stated, that he: concurs with CPO Rush's
decision to assign the Assistant CliiefProbation OfficerS t~ ,th~ probation,counter:and limit.their
, involvement with :c.ommtmit,Y ,supervisiOh. :Mark MeHale:reported that he 'has, never witnessed
·abuse directed toward the asSlmartt chiefprobation officers or anyone.

D~. Areas, of Contel1l

t. Comni'unity' Superrlsion:.Assigitni,e:'J!ts, Revoked' ,

,:&sistant Chief,ProbatieR Oflicets SeIeR Br-own and ~ Tracey-Walsh ,r~ported that for the
past,two years ChfefPr~bation: O:fl;iqer James~ush has d~liberat¢1y.'f.estriI~ the- probatioh
departDiertt 'm, a way Whicl1 has.be~ unfair to, them" mainly'becau~ he haS diminished their
snp:erv.isor,y respQnSibilities:'as: ~istant"chief probation pmeer~~ ;Speci&alt.y" he has:, taken ~way,
their community' ~P'eMSOEy. assigmrient5" which is demibed Ott' their, job,descriptioo as· a'majrJr
~~ , .

PItor t9 2004, ACPo. JnOwn>reported,that the fanner CPO (~nS'):~uthonz.ed lau to: PeEfonil
community supervision.at the E-l.3 poli~e Stati~ and attend vMi.ous 'community meetings,
including Heitlth.y·R,Qsliadale~ Yout}1, Violence 'Strik~ Foree,. iInrl" o~r pEO~ams~.

,Pi'ior t-o-:Z065, ACPO, Trac.€W-Walsh. repOl1ed'tnat she was. an~¢d to :attend riomestic VioiclIce· ,
m.eetings.~ was, th@;ooordinatIDf- of the Strmght Ahead P'row,raID.thoogn$e,Reinv.enting Justice
-P.t.cij;¢ct In Deee.mber, 20£)5, she 'waS told..by, 1st'.ACPO PiiScp tluit:She was not to participate in '
the Straight Ahead Program. .l\CPO Tracey-Wa:l~ reported that sbe'~:never t-old Why she, was
being .removed, from the p.r~~ ex:c~p.t that it was CPO'Rtlsh; sdecisioa.

, 'ACP(Ys ;ebsefve~ 'that the ma1e'pa',s '$(l, the '1st As:sistant Chief a,re:,a,llowed to .att'~nd 'fue '
po.
commt1riitY'm~; ~:~y'm:~mal¢S;..' B¢·:tlte.ACPO~:S'," ,~, they',arefemaie, at~.ne.t
:aJlOwed,
.
to:aU~Q: ',community meetings dpring; work. hours Of .fitter work'
' .' . ' . '

T~·ACPO?s..~epQr.ted~ that they were: p.~t ~ed to. p'erfhrm:.efmuUnmty. Sup~s~ilm.Jm1e~

July; October, Nov.ember~ December 2005 and J3D.U$y, F.~im:UiI'Y; March, Ap~::an:d'May 2006.

The ACPO?~ repE>rted.'tooy m~ with :Regk>l1al A~.t0rMark M~>- JS'AcPO Mark

p.rlsc.o'.an~l. CPo J~es;:RuSh., During:t~ m~~, they"r.eported .th«t:R.,A M2u;kMcHale told
C~Q Rush to .aUewtheACPO?s to go :out he'caUse It'was paR of.thefr Job. However;ihe ACPO's
~pooed, 1hat.'Whell'the, C<mnminitY Sup-ervision.LiStW3S p~epared'fgtJmre c2Q05 r CPP,'Rusb 11id
not ask the ACID's which'mites they' wanted; inStead, :he .assigned th~ A.CPO"s. dates which was

OCP0776
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. not convenient for them. The ACPO's. reported that when the PO's.perfarin community service
they a1w~ chose the dates they want and they are also .given the opportwUty to' schedule two
or more per month.
.
'Th~ ACPO' s- 'reported that they .arenat. given the· same oppo.rtutlities..
. .
The ACPO's r~orted·that when they asked CPO Rush.why they are net allowed to perform
.comniurUty ·supervision,. they reported he said.'''••.. tfre.y would earr.t too much co1J1p time and"
'Would be (JUt ofthe office t(JO much " .

Ms. Walsh reported that Mr. RllSh .deniea her the: oppominity to oontinne'her cqmniunity
:superviSion assigittnents, whereas nmle probation 9ffi~rs ~e·.given special priviI~es regarding'
connnuriity. SUPervisiOll. :M's. WalsJ! reported that if she:attempts to. go to'ai1'assigt!IDent" CPO
Rush says to her "... y.ou·left the buildingwith6.t!t mype.mtission." Ms. Tracey-Wms'h .cannot
attend' the following; .

The· Re,..entry Program (once'a mQnth.).

:JamaiCa: Phlin DollleStic VioleIice Pr.ogt$l
Local School Progmm (JUDe ~ and'JU1i:(}'23~

1'1ie, ACP().' s. reported, that they are aJowe£Ho' attend Re Inventing Justice· tn~"1ings; OIlG£rper
month. However, t,DeYare·.only conipensateq for two~GUrs When ~y .a,ttendthe meeting. 'and
.they· ar:e; not.o'omp~1lS8~e.d.·tot th~'in~ when·.they: S$a.y at the. court (an additional- tv\[C)':ooUts:):'
·'~d work imtii 'the·~~ting be~ at 7:00p.m. - 9.:00 p.m. . ' .
. . . .

:The. ACpg"s'lieportea: thal when the maJ.e..p.robam!'JiI offi,cei;s attend: meetillgs. wbi~h: begin- an-lwur .
'or .tfio~ ~r 'their wOt:k day. they are for
eQJnpensa.tOO the entire .interval and are credited· fer the
hours' they wait. . .
. .
. ·HelenBroWn ~dMa!.Y.Tr$ey·Wa1sh. beli~·that·CPQ-Rnshpm;p0se1y took the:comm~.
'. 'programs ·aw.ay1rom them b~lisetheY'ar¢ female and haS ~ted· the m~e "probatiOll ~fficersih:e
· £ommunity ·assignments.. . . . .

..
.k :aisp3ta.t~t~cmtm~~'

.1. Cmnpensatory Time

Ms:. BroWlI "and Ms. Tracey:.WaI$h. r,eported that When they are, allowed t'C· attend. a.R.eh1ventittg.
on
·,Justice Program ft:~ pnr- 9:00 P1Jl), they de not receive COlllfleJiSatotytime that day when .

. .
Conv.ersely., when a mal~.pi.O'batio1l! o:fficer·.(.B1:ad McNiobo1s;) attends the F"~9od. p.~Qgnun
.... '. (6:00pm - 8:00 pm); :he~ve~r.cottlpensatGty time :from 4:3.0 pltl- 8:00 PIn:-

12

OCP0777
,I·
.it Harassing treatment (general) .

a. The ACPO's. reported that CPO Rush told them they are not to have any
conversations· or read the paper at the· counter. However, on a daily basis line po.'s and APO's .
read the newspaper, play games on the computer~ eat ~d "horse aro~4" out·in the open area
while CPO Rush js :Sta:I)ding thete and he .so~:etimes sits down next to them and join th~m in
conversation.

. .' b. On Jaauary 1('), 2006~ at 2:30 p.in.,. the· ACPO' s t~portetl CPO Ru$h and' I BtACPO
Prisco 'calieda meeting. with the two ACPO's:.and. were told they .aJre.mit allOw.ed to go out until
·the Assigpment Ust waS cl~ed. up .and it ne~ed to:~~ dqn~ _emately..CPO Rush told them
.that a c.aselidaQ· review win be done in Febrt:ta.F.Y. '(!lId the 1IltACPO·wil! amfit·the cases· mid niake
• ...b·· I':'·,"",~O'·"'· on ,1.·_·t 06k~ no' ,_.. . .~ krtno' ..J:...r . ..:..t ,",,,,,,,.,..~k~ .
no"es to
• . ,+.
!:fIe .n-L;r·. :... 'W'1'm u;a:; r ' S i:IllU n.\J.F '. g.·UN· nOt .uQ·
'VVS l".

. , .c. On May ?, 2{)06~ ACP<? Brown reported that ·she was :outSide h~idingihe door
.oPen be¢au5ethe ligh~ went €lut and oom.a.trt~y. :receiVed. i telephone. ~ Q1l h'er cellulm-
telephoiie. She'rept;>rted that'CPO Rushldc'k:cil:the :St()pper out'Gfthe.,door '~d preceded to close
the dQar in her face: while stating that it·was e6ld.. ACIlO'BJQW1l repWiie~l.tlmt. s1),e. h~ld the· d~r
.~a 'aSke,d. CPO ltUSh not roo oIose·$e door and.he proceOOed.to gtab the..door and pull. it. ACPO
'Brown sai~f'thRt this:incident is. amotl:ter'funn' ofm~gn and·e.mrtic,'b;ebaVimdkected:' towatd
:lier ilm± ~. ~il shocked her: ACPO ·Bt~·rep'(')rtedtbat.slre wgs·on the'~IephCme talking to
. the Mlimumv.e. A~0n:Officer whq also heard ·the COJlJ1liIO''Db11' ~a t~lephone, .

iii. Blatant Hmassing. Treatment (parking)

· :Ms:. ·B~oW;n·rep0lted.~at £Or the!p~t. t~.ee.ye.ars. sl»has.had a·des~atedp~!p~pace.·in:~.

· ba¢1F. of~~J)Se. ~s. 'lWoWn rf>Ported' thai·1Yk.~$.·d~~~·pitt1red.in·ire~sp~.qn .
Th.Ursday~.Jaim.aJy 5~. an~;Friday:;. J.anuaFy·:t1'-~·. 'li4&. ~'l',*orte'd·_f1:mg· is:Wst one ·example.
.·of.:tlieiypl!i o:tlm'rassment"~he' hts.r.eC'eiv.ji:clIfroin Mr~ '~Jlshaml other-not;so- b.~tm¢ attacks ooom-
,oil a' 'dailY basis" er at least .tWice, a. week. . .

~ ';l'Uesday; 1~uaiy. l~ she. reported ti1at·~.lb1sh aaain parked iR ~'sp.aC,¢; .Judge Coffey ..
·noticed: CPO RUsh. in: ACP.O·Brown·s parking space' arid ACP-O'Brown was .p~kl3d.in the judgeS
.s~,..~udg¢: Coffey' asked cPO Rush toplease.lOO¥e.llis:~. :Ms~,:aroW:t1.~epoHed dui;L; sh~j.
afier~ Mr. Rush·gav.e her a threatening i00k and. then he moved his .car from 1i~r space~ 'The next
.day•. Ms_.BtO:~ r.epe~ed ~t ·she inforriled.Re~··stipetvisor Mark MCHale &OOut.~
incid¢m. She alt~ges:that Mr. Rush's. behavior is a blatmit example of what Ms. Brown describes
as·a· "hoStile eniAronment'" for her. . ' .

13

OCP0778
 On Friday, June 1~, at 12:20 p..m. Ms. Brown reported that she needed to· leave early that day
a:p.d noticed that CPO Ru~h was parked behind' her car, because Probation Officer Ad1ta Vazquez
was parked in Mr. Rush's parking space. ACPO'Brown asked CPO Ru~h to:1nove his' car.

3.. CPO Rusblsma·ppropriate·CoinmunicatioD,

ACPO Brown- and Tracey-Walsh r.epOrted that ~he was concerned about being .disciplin~in
front ofthe J.ine PO's, whom they supei-vise,' .

.on. January 9,. 2006,

. Helen-Brown anq Tracey-Walsh
. reported. that CPO Rush cam.e·Eo: the.
and
-

·OOt:JiIter in. a r3;ge:an~ ~~ yelling' and pointing.his. fingers at ACPO Brown Tracey-Walsh
in uo.nt of ~e. clerical staR: other PO's ati)d th~ public,' The·ACPO' s.repO~ed. that he. was: .
liumilia1;ing, .degra~·art(i belittling to them itt ~ch a way t1lat it was' "if.1ti:l!1idating and .
si:ary.. ~... behavior was ve1:J.1' etratic.an4 unpr-ojessional.," .-MS.. BfOwn l'epo1t-e4'·that c~ Rush·
has"displayed this type QfbehavioJ: nwnerous ather tim.es. theY reported that ~:. __ .he constantly
.thrOw$. paper.$.' q{ thr:111' fJ1!f their desk.....he opetiS: their' door iyhen"u is .c1.(J$ed·wit/Jout ~heir
.." ~, .
Peml!JS810n.
. . . ' . . .
Ms. T1!aeeY-!V.aIs,h r.eport~ that· QnDecember 1911i 'and Deeember.21 st ,MT_ 'RushsGt€amed at her
and ·q~on.~ het ability. CPO'Rush ·angrilY·repeated the qti:estion w~~et AC,P(} Walsh.::could
get PO Yoongs: cas~sup'to ila;te. 'When:·ACPO llesponcled; CPO R:ush.repli~tt _.... trying is'llFl,t
.g9od, e.1t01tih...¢cin you db it or not?? Ify,Q1I.Can· ~t I wUl get SfJOJt 'One else'who ean.•. .1'1f1.not
going oUt on' my knees;~;~Sh~.statedthat M:ark Pris·co!.was- present:bOth tiIiles.

, ·Qn.Deceniber·22Dd, ACPO called RAM~Hale.am:Heft a deta,iled mes~agerequ~.ACPO need

to- sp~ withRA'about c.0.n~ertIs:inYolvi:ng CPO:"s'hostility reward ACPO's- RA McHale;never
· tetu.-n¢d. AGPO's telephone ta1l and sent..a. message via i~ ACP' Prisco it)· re.solvethe matter .
. . ." internally.

· J9M Hugatx..· Office. Manage£; a. 2~"year cinp~o.y.ee'7- .rep.0rte4 ~'t (jl1.·Mt)nd~,: .Jat1Uary. 9; ;4Q06"
'~he Witnes~CP.D·~sh:f>~a~e yelling c~.~~~s·ting~·and'int~id3tin~
.. A~o' R!o.Y:.m; $lW Tra~.ey-Wash:~i.:$e. c»:W:it:~~ Ms,. H~..F.1'ted tbt.·.sbe; ~hjuty'¢.g·
were
· 'at her' ~yIDg" .'~..~':ou.:should:be ·ot the .coiJl#e'r~ •.,-w.heie YOlt?·>1 ·Ms: H~gani:e.p0rt.~'thai "
. then~. were. 2. - 3 employees: at ~~: CD.~ter eontinupusly clUring; tlnlt day $J;~jt was. Deye,f.·witheUf
.a staff pet.8(}i1. ~~ Hogan'reported' that ACPO Helen J;lrowD: and otlier employees wer,e at the
e.ounter when:ACPo. Traooy.-WslSh left.f~" app.F.<»dmate1y. 15: minutes: to ham! delivet'pap~S'tO:
,t4ej~dgeS:lobby. . .
. .
Ms: HQgan I.'ep6rted that when ACro .Traaey-WaIsh returned to, the GOlmter;,. he I;>egan yelling at
'het"jn a: vei:y diSrespectful.waY. (Assistant Chi~Probation: Officers Helen Brown.and ~.
Trileey...Walsh, itikt this· inv.estigator the same·mt'onnanaD 17~ding· :this.:inci.dem. They.' afid~ .
···..that CPO Rush never yells &t the men, bnt .he continueS to ·yell at them because' they are female.)

14

OCP0779
 of
Ms. Hogan recalled when'CPO Rush accusect her making etTor~ on his timesheet. "She reported'
he often undermines her by saying things like ."...what the Christ are yozt"doing.... you ~e can
it.. ?

.Ms. Hog~ recalled that on Friday~ December 16.2005. First Assistant.CmefMark PrisCo gave
her a memo 'and told her '''no hurry." On. Monday, December 18lh, CPO Rush. ~ to her and
said "...did Prisco giveyau· 2 things to type....ifyau. reuldn '{get it dane you should have· given: .
it to "smneone els.e... " . .

MS.. Hog.an reported that CPO Rush. does..not yen at the: men.
· Felisha Arnold., pr.obation ·Case Speciaiist· reported that she witnessed CPO.Rush badgering,
demeaning: and helittimg. the' A,ssistatlt. Chi~fPro.batiort" Offieers H.elen~Fowu and Mary Tracey.
. waisn ~~ro:u:s·1in:les, specifically during $taffmeetings bec.ausethe door was open and at·the
· PFO~atiatt· .oolBl,ter.. M~_'Afnoid said that she :witae~~.CPO·, Rush yelling.a~ Mary TFaeey WalSh
becaUse sireleft the·counter for ~ppr£ixlniately fifteen rnit1ntes io go to the jndg~s lobby. :Ms.
, ~ld 'said that ~e: witnessed four Olf five -oth,er emp10jee.s present. woo were a~ailable.to
pi:ovide.oov.er~g~·~t:the probation- counter-that day. .

Idaliz Santcs~ Probation. Officer.r.eported;. that .CPO Rush i~, not..fait''1lQ all'employ.ees. For '
·.:e~le.she.:stated thatth~-e :are ~..emploY.ees (fema:l¢.s} on. his "''W.riroh .Jist".... w/W .he·
.lMktl1es; 'ClD'Cks'aNd Jonksfot during the~.. Ms:
Santos.,yePorte'd.that: there ate. «her
.e~loy.. {~s,. Who ate aU~we4' ~ priVileges.. F'or-exaInple, play c.omputer gaII'ies,
take.
eat food at. the: desk in: view of the' pu'blic:and 2.l;raur·lundb:es;
.'. . :MS. 'Santos .reported that sh¢ wi~essed' t~e. cC?unter incident o:n Monday, Jan~ 9111•. Ms. 'Santes
:witnessed Cpo.-Rush ~ ttre.~er as1d.Rg where Mary Tracey' Walsh. She stated that his .
approach waS'demeaning an'd ''ard.~g([11lis.tic. 7'

4. AcP.O~s Assgmed: to,tbe fto:nt· €D:n:ilter .

·Ms. :B~.:an4: Ms. Tra~...W~sh l'ep(Jtted" that {}~ FridaY,.January ff'>"~ere- was a.~ ..at
8:3~ a.m.. ~·fon6Wing.einPtQj.ees W;~pltes~:. ·CPQ"Ja¢e-s,:&usD;;.ACPO Hel~ lkawn~.
J\CrQ:·Mary Ttapey..::Walsh. A.1s9pr~·~e·th.e line p.robati.o.~·.QffiCers Kevin ~1'~
Wi~ lo.yce~ 'fJ:r~ pmpnse of the; ~eeting:was~to infum·tlre ACPOl·S:·tba"t ·t~· mJ;lSt.altemat~
and:WQrk at the front pf.0batioll ooiuiter all day., in~ew proba;tioners and they must ~e' .
·diffeneat luncm houf......'

. 'Ai the .mee.tin&. Ms. Br.ovnl mid·.'l:racey.':'Walsh felttha.t Mr.. Rush was' "~1noFolj.zjng,· :v.ufif4iy.
·and' "enfotioJ1lJlllYa'b1lSiVe'" i1i how: be ·'<.cfjsvipli1i.ed"andrepri"t11fJ1itktf" .theassistant -cfliefprobation
otne:efS', Ms~ Tl1l~-W~sh fqroqedthat. when ymt asketla questio~. he respende(tb.y Sa.yin~
«what don 7t you 'If11(icl'Sff;mr./. "

15

OCP0780
 . .
The Assistant ChiefProbation Officers believe· that his directives' are sexist toward the~ because
it diminisheS their ,ability to supervise line probation officers and manage their caseload. They
reported that being assigned to the front desk "7.5 hoors" is nQt"necessary, beG.auS,e· a ro¥WoJ;l
sheet ha~been in place for 'a nQ111ber ofyears. The ro.tation sheet is'a weekly' schedule which
iderrtifies"line probati0n officers and includes. the perm~ent coun~er probation officers '
{Santos and DiN;irdilwho are assigned t6, <:over front desk duty from 8:30am - 4:30pm.
the: ACPO's explained that this:schedme l;dso. allows far back Up,' ewrtroom coverage
,and coverage during lunch (s~ attacbed)..

, The: Assistant ChiefProbatk>l1 Officers·' state thafthe follOwing ob:siacles binders their
, peifonnance which-nltlniate!y, tak:CS .away.frain other AePO ~tities: ,1) ill-eqnipped' desk;
, 2}·telephone dpe$:not work pri>perly;:it cuts p~le' ~ff;: 1) no typewriter 'OIl desk must shm;e'a'
·typewriter on another deskivith'sap'p'~ stafJ.;4) constantintermptioDs; hinders daij.y,tasks,and '
"makes. it tfi:.mWItttr revrew case'~.

The· ABsiS1JaJrt ChiefProi!8tiop. Officers reported 'that, €?O Rnsh constantly' l~. fOf"them every
, $ ininutes, follows, them. 'aromi~ scapegoats them and,he, does not give. them important,
, ' . during the, day.,
. information. about the operations. of.the court

, $.' Mmimize~an.e.DleiJtpo.sitiAA,of AcpO''S

. i. Ms~, B:r();~ stated, that'when .AntbolW·,Owens was.the Chi~fJ)ltoha~on:O~r; she.

wa~ ,allowed to me~ in<tRe·Judges,:C~b.ersbefore- court a¢vities' bega;p... She rep.orted that they
(Mr.:Owens~ :Mr. ~ and herself)·wo.uld meet in the.mf)i;nigg ~ tlJ;e-.fudges? Cimmbers'to· .
':discuS'S'infurtnatioo. 'oon.c¢tnsand the,busin¢Ss:ofthe·day. : '

'n.. On J~ 6" 2QO;6;".Ms. BroWn :repe'rte.d t1lat.~_ :Rush t91d: h~ tnatsh.¢' WQuld no· .
: km.:get participate'in the momingmeetmg held in the 1~4ges Cham~rs. :M$. ~rown reported' that
'Mr. R\ls:h!'&'decisio~ has; put ~er 'at ~ ~ant-ag.~ becau$e: the.: DQnnati.on discuss,e.d. ill the·
mornmg1tl~ls.~~,relat~.~'ner,wot'k and is~¢'th~.d*y (e;g.,probatimt.,~
, ¢.o.v.e.fig~ ,motner"S::~~;·eic~), .' ' .'
'. iii.;' Mtl·~ Btomx anq MS., 'Ir~Walshf.~e.d:that: Mr. Rush Q'ees, :Q.Qrmve; themr
"fufortna:tion. aballt n~g·training. ' Fo~,ex.atnP.~"they.;wci~ent1y~fu.1,Bll'l·out: about a
memoranclmn, dat,ed.:2l24/06' whi~h. was:·dissemina.ted: to: .Cbi~~OOatien,·().ffrc:e.rs all. '
, .~, " tirts.Lnie Til ~' ., . ;, a ~ designed f:o{emplbY~s 't(deBm,howt~ruse the new

16

OCP0781
 iv. Ms., BroWn and Ms. Tracey-Wal~h reported that some probation officers disappear'
and go offto meetings Without telling them despite repeated requ.ests to do S(). This issUe has
also peen bFOught to the. attention of the chain of.C€lllIinand. Th~y believe that tire· line probation
officers should t~ll them where theY go. CoiIv'erselY~ they have observed that CPO Rush
~tly "~'S his r~' in ordei- to monitor their· every·move·and he· does. not reprimand
the probation officers who do not in(orm. them oftheir whereabouts:

Y. Disrespect: Ms.. Brown: and Tracey-Walshr~rtedthat CPO·Rush· constantly

.diSrespects them. For e~ample. CPO Rush does not iinorm herregarding the whereabouts of
'. . th~ own i1;aIt. Specifically, they are not infqnn¢d when the ~e:.PO'.s·£)1'e ~ttenditig meetin~~
.. ti'aiirings, or wheth~theygo out ofthe'offi~ fur the .y_ Ms:Brown and Tracey.:Walsh
. .repor,ted that CPO Rnsh s.upports·.this iack ofinfor.matiori because:·the.j believe it is. done. to'
JIDdeIllJine. the ACPO's:authority as superviSOrs: ·Ms.Brown·.and Tracey..Walsh rePmted that
· information is: kept So'lely:·with.·the·'CpO auG 1.st.4CPO~ .
. .
Ctyst# Yotm~ Probation. omcer explained· ~e difiictllrles-thaf she- has. encounter.ed while
- worJciiigm· the probation -depart.m~. ~. Y0wtg reported tiiBtshe returned to'work in.
:S.eptember:~ b~~e;the. pnonaomh sire-was· Oti:famRy· Ii1~qat·ltmw;. :Ms;. Yomig.rep~ed that .
when she re~med. toO' the:offiee.on September 6th, Cl'O-1tnsh told' her that MarY TraceY Walsh.
was;
"Will: -be:Jjer .new' si:1Pen!isor (previously H¢l~n. Br~wn b:eF..st,lpervisor). 'ACPO BYown was'
onv.acanoll an~ was not told 'about the ·propo-se.d ·chaa.~~s u1iti1 she te~' ftGnfva~tln. .
.PO:yQ~g;presented"aohronology of e.vents. to· this·mv.e~ator·wmth. tQak plaee in the;~mre
:Peghmi~g Septemeet 'Jh though D.ecember 21st• Bhe ,emphasized that'en Nov. zna' and Dec~ Hilh•
·PO RusJi was: disrespl~ctful to her by thrQ-wmg paPef.s at her. PO Yo:un:g, belie;wrl·. that his·
-.b¢hmot tow~(ther was"huinili~ and-:iiamssing: (~e·:atta:ched. dnrooolagy bf.~ents): .'

PO y o.ui:xg: ~eported that: she'witnessed: that the. AssistaBt p~obatioit·Ofli¢r.~ W'er~ n6··looger
fuvolved With the community'omreacl1 progr3rns~ ". .

·Angela.White;. a funner Int~ who.' WOf~e.d'.with romer Cr<).. OWens frf,lln J:anu~ 20:04 though;
'. _:M1gu~ ·2QQ4. S:h.e.:eane.(l,Cp.o.·-l,Uish.:inm.seprembei;. '2004. th~~gnl~;,. 2005.;. to· ask ifshe
- ... co.iil&··~nfume;woiimig··at. the: e.omt (lfuk ~ pttigram)' 'M$'-' Whiti~;·te..P0rted that'when she. meet
~·CP6·ltusii.~d:-:ael~ Bf~Wi1 r.~\;ttiplo~;iit,··she\~it~~.cp.6-Rtt$hU-~6ng· .. .
Ms.: BtQ;wn·-w.i•.disf~:, ~ Whi:te:, ~aid tlmt: she:felt. soay for Ms. BtQ:wn becau~··gfthe way
'CPO: bsh was keating her. (see ,atta.ehed :AfiicQlvit). .

17
OCP0782
'I
I
,I
i··

r
i
I
I
..
6. Flexible Work Hours
.

.In November '2003, Ms. Tracey-Walsh reported that she was authorized to work fiefable
houTs (8:0() am.. 4:00 pm.) because ofher parenting responsibili~es.

· On August '2005, Ms. Tracey-Walsh reported that she went to CPO Rush and verb81ly requested'
to leave wDlkearJy Dti Thursdays becau~e her c1Jild has·'~specia1 ~eeds" and she wanted to be
home for:her son to attend occupatIDJlal therapy.

cPo Rush told her to .put her request in writing and attaCh the doctor's letter. ACPO Tracey\-
W81sh reported.that wllen they met, the. first thing he told her was
the- ACPo-' S' would. have to
work 8:30 am - 4:-3:0 pm.. CP.o-.R.ush·inform~· AePO Tracey-Walsh is' the .best he could do-
.would he-.to· all().w her ta work 8.:00: 2un:- 4iflO, pm on ·Tlmrsdays;.~ arid that. she would. need 10-
take. persOnal.or v~ca1iOD, time if she' needed· to l~ve earlier att~d so~' S to' He ~so th.er-aPi. '$fate
·~h.e· would ·ha.ve. to. work 8::30: $1-4:3-0' pm tine other fow- days a·week. These,lrotlt& w.oold. begjn
.in S.wt~ber 2005.

, 'Acpo: T~··W.h·sp~ke.with,cpO·R.ush se.ve;al· times' to explai~ that t.b:e.~W'bo~swo.uld

·cause.a ramiiy~sbip. aDd interfere wi&!: 'the.ability to -care, for a cbifd with ~peciid n~s~ .
· ·But) CPO··Rush .ted.th~ :be. ~BS;'the' "B~~' and she anild not work !1~ hOnrs~ .
·Ms. TraceY':'Walshreported that MF. :Rti.~h approved .~ flexible SchedW~ for o~e ll1,al¢ 'probation
·.ofii~r {I(evin ~i:ennan:};' al4>wirig him to' wtJrk ThllfSday $id.:Friaay 7:.30 am - 3:·:30, pm..
He now i~' working a:fl~ble 'schedule .8:00 .am' - 4:00 .pm~During the interview, :Kevin Bremran
was: ask-ed 'if-he: Was;.~6"Wed tID. work a flexible s.c~ednle.,. he replied, yes;;. . .

Ms. Tta~-Wabh :s~d *. ~s.h' s d~qn to.3now mate employees ~o

eXa'mPie 6fblatantsexisin. Ms. T~y~Wmsh:!¢peife.d&at CPG:R_·~er.·~ed.her~
work f1e~"ble'ho:urs is.an

· 'a tine PO whO; .sh~ sUI"ervised was··the person 'authorized to work llexib)e ·houts..

.JU September '2~" she,·t~fted .that.Jyh:,: Rush denied' her '~le tinle·sehedute~.' '3n4;·insi~¢d,·
··.that sbe~o¢ ~~. b~s hBms;(8.;~O·mn- 4:30:·p?J3.;);.. in.~ept¢;mb.er· '~Oes~'Ms •.Tracey..; .
. Wal$lt·i~ed~:~.in~~tmifw~:·lI~lq. With.M;. CPO _ FAep()·and·itwaSi~id~ i~·s~e
·coUld resume
. the fle:x.t'bie work sChedule.. .(8~{)O ·a:IlL-·4 :@.o 'p.~). . .
" .
.. . .. .
'

.
.' On' Dec¢mber:2:1~, ;2Q65~ Ms~ Traooy..Walsh iQPort(d :that CfO
.

R.n. '. .
t~ld het:that &he: was. going. .
.·~aclc to &:3,0· am . :4 :3.0~ beginiUe.g Degember .27 •. -She reported that ·CPO Rush kept r:eferrmg.to
th
·t::.-~~1.c· ...t.. "'D.' ,.'. H' iV"ftk.m-A·ha ...1:.._ ft1~.·· ";'~". •..i.. b .
. .' ~Jf1'~a as ~1e. .O,osS> .:e e""p."IiU..lwt:!·· t t uNo· reason...t:'.J.or. not ·~\jfmng 1;,......
..I'lI\i1:tQ W.I1HU1\1.e Wir,li. e.r'
hours wa;s that:a :line PO'was behind: in her wcirk. ' Ms. ,Tracey-WalSh repolted tl,1at another PO .
. was'giVen her'~flex" hours ~f8:00' am - 4:00 pm..

18

. QCP0783
 on December 29, 2005, Ms. Tracey-Walsh. r.eported that CPO J:tush reconsid:ered her
hourS' and.
told h~ $at he never agreed that she shoUld continue working a flexible schedule which was . .
arranged in September as a result ofthe meeting with RA McHale. She beli~ ~pat. it was' clear
that CPO Rush.was upset because :tlie ACPO~ s requested the intervention ofRA McHale.
in JanuMy 2006, ~t the direction ofDeputy Commissioner. Elizabeth Tavares;" CPO Rush was' told :
.to allow ACPO Tracey-Walsh to work a flexible .sChedule.

7•. Retaliation

ACro Brown aad: Tr-ac(}y-Waish reported that onM~B.day., June 5 Jh

at 2:30, .p..m., CPO- Rush and
~ Pri$oo t;neet to {ijSct1SS casel~a~ 'and' to dete_e. workfor~.needs during the swn.mer
m~n~:. After-·the meeting,. the .ACPO~·s· were wmtne.d ~y Mark Prlsoo· tha;t CPO ~ush·JMY~t
their names· on tlle '''Monthly PO Duty SChedUle" 'b~g in' Juiy. the ACPO's reported that·
they are av.ai:l~ t6 help. with· covetage;'. h<Wiev.er~ their'1U1$es· should. not he' ad€led,·t@ the'
SchedUle:along with the line 'fJro~atio.n·.(),ffice~. They believe:·that the m~ntb1y 'sChedtde 'should
'have~'fhe nam~s: of1ine·ptl:lbatmn:omcets~·· ·They.'be:liev.:ethat .ad4fug the· ACPO's: name:· oaf@:
the mQ~Y' sclieduleis..another'tacti~ deSigiied to undermine· and disrespect th~ superv.isory
responsibilities: ~d. i~ an6.&e.r:foirnt. of·retaliati:on.. ' . .

'the. ACPO"s .stated that this is another e~le afnot being. included. in the decision' making
proceSs. and 'CPO:Rush deh~ely.l,ly-pass.es them

'{)l1:June 8, 2006, ACPO·Trace.Y~Wal'Sh r.~Qtte9..:tbat ~he'fWd'Mark Prisco had ac~nfi4~ntiat

};n_g:to..disciiss;l~· itiQrRt in the 6:tlic¢~ Acpo "fra:¢eJ':"Wa:l$ ~xplainet't that Mark PriscO'·
lnte~e~~ line p.o:s·.~th~'~d~ntia:t conv~rsation.· She helie.ves ~~t his aetion~.is an
. example: o.fWIde~g ~r:autht.n.ityand, disr:esp,ect·

~~dge:·~~:·.~irey., Fitst:Jn• .ofthe Wes~'Roxbnr1.))'il.~~··of"the· BMC reported

.'that:~ant ChiefPr~bati'o,n omee;s..Helen::.B~ and'Maty :Fia@y-Wal:SlI··fM:~g.iXJltWOlJllm~
.~ .said.fheir·~de tOwarc:fw~rk isposiiive,·jir:oduCtive arJdpfolessiona[.Bn4:tl~ey are' .
a.n
'..dedierncid; lu.yfll:fPId·SIIflC~8sfuJ:wor~s; . ..Judge:CQffe.y ~d: that'.they.··~ve: unblemished ~d:
, :and they·atenot mtlitant Judge .Co~ey explam«J; ~ the.y ~v.e co:ro.e·to.her·intet;1FS·~·.Qut ·of

19

OCP0784
'.

• CPO Rush took away Mary Tracey Walsh's flexible work hours; but the. fJ:~ble work
.schedule was eventually reinstatfX1 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) because .ofher.famtly obligations.

• CPO Rush·.parked:'in ACPO Brown's designated parking space severahimes~ even though
. CPO Rlish has· his own·assigned parking space.

• ACPO Brown has·been directed not to attend the morning probatio;n: meeting whieh is
held in her chambers.

. . .
e. . ACPO's are re$1:ricted to participate'in probation oommuttity.progI:&nS.

20 .

OCP0785 .
"I
I
I
,
I
I Kevin· BreD·R·an" Probation Officer H, a white male; ftW0rted that he has net witnessed
racism sexism, thteatening behavior. nor does he believe he is working in a hostile environment.
He- reported that ~. working conditi€;>l1s are fair,. employees are ~t:e. and he'has no complaints.
..He explained tlia~ be 'has BOOh CPO Rush y.ell :and reprimand everyon~; bet he believes that if an
. employee is, reprimanded for not completing assignments.tpen that is part ofthejob.

.Mr. Brennan said that he works ~exible homs 8z00 a.m- 4:00 p.m, .For two years; he worked
7:30 am. - "3dO, pm.: He does tiot r::eceive' ~~nsatoty· time;,·ev.en though he ·arrives at 7:00 a.m..
everyday to' set-up the probation counter. H;e reported that he ~C:)'~ pomrnUriity :supervision once
every two: months and· he is..assign.ed to. provide ooverag~' .at the MB'fA Stop' Watch progratl'l', as·
.needed. .

He·repooat that h~ h~ not known anyempioyee to. take tw{} hon~lUllehes~

Brad Mt:~ic~ols,;~~ob.afionOftiter. a white rep~ited that he.~as !lOt witn:essxd ·tacism,

male.
sexis~. verba:l'·abuse, hostlle-en;w:omnent, disrespect•.. CQnstaa~ harassm~ or yelting. He:b~~ves
4:hat.the- D0urt is..a mce place ~ work. :He expl~~ ~t he modm-ates.:the Fatherhood ·P~gi;mn.
four nights a: nromh. _d: believ.es the ~em;:in: pla€e'whlc.h: emp~yees' fn}}k).w·to sign-up' for- .
'cG~unitY sUpervision' is :a d~mGcra'tic' sy.ste~. Mr. McNrchals''dXpI$loo that the meeting .usually
starts' at ~~{)0;·lr~... He'.l"eeeiv.es.c6mp_toIy:t;ime4:30 ~~ - 8;OO·p~. wbieh is' preparatiOn
~ prior to.the· In~ting. . . . .. . . '. .
. .
. J)a:vid .Gia~aiDnei)~F3batinn ·Ofi'icer.; a.white. mall\ .Fep,oned· that h.e J;J,a:S..Hat witnessed'racism,. .
'sexism:, vef.b.al.abuSC? hostile. environment. ~~~ect,. constant-Il$:assmen(or yelling. I\:ir.'
·Giacalone explain~tl that ACPO: ~.o.Wn·is .hiS, superos.or an.d·h.e:b~lie.v.€$· tlii~' ha.ve·go-of!.
'. :commurueatiQ.:n: He ~d that all line' .probation officers are'assigned to the .:prob.a:tiop. co~ter via
a.tmatio.a sCheu~le~ 'ffe·t~P0rted: ~t.all probatien:' ~\ref-s. receiv.y:~m~satory·tim:e if-they·
. p~orm:·~mm11nity ~Ge. The:lime begins· after WDt~ (4~30 p.Ri. 13nd is continUous until the .
the· program is oYer).

~lIii~ J.y'~~ ~~~i~ Q.me~r. :~·wbite.~.~JJt~ _t.hi~:d~es:.n(J.t.aW;e¢ witk~s.

,.~~iamt:a#~fhe. :d.~:W,t~ee.·#I~.prob~9.~)lep~i bein.~m'G~··a.di~~orY way::
. Mr.; Joyce·beli'ev.es e.very·employ.ee·ig,respe.Cted.andemp1bYees:~:aske.d·.to do' thing$ urthe .
. :same ·demean:or. '. ". : ...... . :.

..LogM .~~~:pr,Qbdi6n {Jflieu" a·:blaek:.ma1~~ reperte.d·:that.he.llas·nO' pro-h}ems.with·O:P.O:-

.
;n.•.• L :p".;('", :t).:~~ . •
nuStl...!.V,!J:•.':cv.~'Cw~·~s
··C",L.
aware ..• ··n..'L.:......:.·
o.l<J,l1~·amm.OSI!tn1.f.;I.)'V·een·
CPO'. :mo.; , h" d th A£.'DO B . .d
~~us '1m ·e·.n.~.c· .. So r.own·aD!··

21

OCP0786
 , '.

supetvisOrs~ because mi.ditionally line probation omCers an~ associate probation officers. supervise .
the eounter. Mr. Ritchie reporteclthat he has Witnessed CPO Rush constantly looking for the
ACPOs. Mr. Ritehie said th~ he is' not surprised that. a complaint'was filed ·alleging. ~ 3nd sex
discriDlination, knowing that all the complainants 'are female:

Lucinda Matos, Probatj~n Officer, a C~pe Verdean female, statedthe·fotlowmg:

.....CPO Rush very fair

.....haven't seen anything
•. ~ .•-aompillint ridiculO1lS .
.....CW!/.. not vali'date:,cofllplaint
,.•.rules·hijve not. changed'
••.••never repr.imand her-
,..~. vindic#VeIJ'eSs not his character "-
.••.:.open doorpoliCJ!~ •.".
:.•.;m(J}rale b.etter than under.former CPO.... .

MS:n.&a:tos reported that she is aware that th~AC~'.s ·are·upset·with the'p~bation counter'
ass~eDt. However.. she feels th~tdeci~ian·W'SS a ·1D.a:nag~eRt .d.ecis.ion.Ms·, Matas $aid: that
, CPO.ltush would .not do anything to hurt -anyene. the department lUtts smoothly.ann 'She loves
i . . coming to work. . . .

E~ .' J~m:eS' Rush.. Chief Probation Otlicerand: person oomplained..ot: reported' that he
. beli~eS ::the co~iaiat fil¢d -agailist liim is.iuir.assment against hhri because of liiS age (age ..
. .o1scmmnation). CPO.R.usll.stated that he-is ·calOr blilllhmfl the. issues· raised' in: ~ complaint
. ·are not oPjective and ~'astretch oftheir im(Jfji.niltien. ~ He des~bes liimSe1f:.as· being ffom
. . ~~the fifd school;" but, he"s .fair: B;e. ~y raise: his: ~~: 00 ~ccasion.:but .~ .,~ ~ot ycl:1. .
rn:::tht:~te'I;l;~~ne. ~~ saW-,p.~ meet$. )1Yith.sta!f Gil~'R m.ooth·to ~$U~g..~'W~d,··r~1ay .
:im~r.tatif·jnf.o~R1Ii~: and to ~~o.tlIef'J)lat:n;trs~.. CPC! ~·statoo·tfu¢. in: Ol'detti:>: ron
.. a probation department :he needs to 'be ~le to ~e ~agem~'decisi(ms~ . .

"CPO:R:ush 'reported th~.he b~e. ~.cme~pi:omati:On:·o:~r W!9- y~ agcJ.' :MI. Rusk:sald he

devised a..pl.an fot the ~ ba$e,ron :cas(dnv.~tary-? ~oa.d.~ 1~~1 Of superviSion.
He; "efX>t!ed. tbat:.tbe.ACPO).s.. primaty :r.espoosiblels:supeiyising tire 1ine'. ptobati.cm. offieer~

'OCP0787
 CPO.Rush said he aSsigrIe~h:heACPO'$ to the counter to supervise the probation.front counter
. .oi'l-a rotation basis. CPO Rush stated that this is it ~ecessmy and important functien ~se they
are interfacing with. the public and available to. answer questions:and ·solve problems' when they
mise, He views their .assignment to the ~unter.as a positive giving them added responsibility.

:CPORush reported' that thet~ ~e· reserved parking spaces. fur soni~ employees,lOcated behind the
:rourthouSe..Both he' and Ms. 'Bro~ ~v~ an ~Signed parking space. Mr..Rush reportoo that one
motitinghe p~ed in Ms. Br&wn"'S: space. because someone else Was park~in.hii· spa~~ Mr.
Rush repo~ed ~ he' parlci::d in her space"oQiy on,e time. .

. CPO: J~es' :Rush.sa.id that ACPO traeey-Waish di;d originally. wor1$:. a :BennIe Sghedute:.~e'gin.nmg
. at 8:00 am - 4:0.0 pm.He.:said~hat he cJ?,angeg ·her hours' back to 8:30' am -4':3~:pni. Because.
. 'ACPO ':fraeey-WafSh'11ad' fahilly· responsibilities, sb he- chang~.her hOlil;s. ba(';k to 8·~Oo-. am.- 4:00.
, .pm.

cPo: Rnsh' categ~ricany. denied..the:·f01lowittg.·al1egatiel1s:.

"race and seX 4is~tiOn, harassing, reprimanding and unfair tteat:f11e.t,1t tov.mtd the
Assist~t- Chier'Ptob8tiori Offigers. ~ the ot~r.femal¢.probation: o£Ii~s *
staff..

• . . :witl$6lding informaU:onftem tb~ ~s~j&tant '~~f probatipn officers; he said mOilthly staff
. xneetingS m-e.held· ·t~ disCuss· matt~ts,and up',..e:0~g trainiQg,schedmes Sfepdsted on.the
board for 'everyone to' see. Ifan 'employee Watits ta attend a training. he·:autho.rize.s it with
lrl-$' signa.ture~ .

• kicking the'~ dosed as ACPO ~:rown alleged. He .S&id·that this. is C'a- Sfret.e.h ofher
itm:i:ginatjon:"

. ~~gthe assistan;t:~fprOOa~ 0ffioors to the.prob~tionco~ter was not a ~sI~m

.'. hased on·.g~r; :the c~ ~'a TIianageinent deeiSi;on based~'O:n· ~pervision of the Une
pt.obation::Oijioors. ' .

... inini~gthe AePO~s~ ..;Ori .~ oo~arY~ 'he' gave theni.~o~~r¢s~on~l>ility"and ~6re

OppOrtwllt}' t~ supeivise the·~~:·p.tohation {jffi~.. . . .' .'

'. .deliberately p~king itt ACPO Brown's pMking sp~. (He' parked. in her space· DlJ1y
'P~se someo~ else was p~ in his. at the time).

23

OCP0788
'/.
I
F. Conclusions

There is evidenee'that this ,is' a legitimate comp'lain~ because seven female emp10yees
:[4 Black, 2 White, 1 Hispanic], including the five females who filed this complaint; were
conSistent in their testimony .that ChiefProbation Officef'.J~es- Rush yelled and intimidated th~.
The seven female employees said they were b;eing'targeted and witnessed him' yelliIig at <>ther ,
females. They agreed Vlith the allegation' of raCe· ~d .sex· discrimination and, they: stated t~t they
h,av.e dir¢ctly witries$ed C;pO Rush dis.criminating against ·them..Two females wrote,nanitives of
'I:iWir'iIeg~tivee:q>erienres in: the probation department and one' female submitted an AffidaVit: ',
(see attached).

Based 011 the: aoo~e ~lusio1t. t1rete'is. evideI;f<re that, inapprQPri~~ co:qnnuni:eatioil:may he
nit"ettet{ t<,?watd' the seven ~emale, employee's. ' .
. . .
Seven em.plOyees [~white: tnales, 1 Black male, 1 cape Verdean female} ~eported: that they ·are
. being tr¢ated fajrly and they have·not experienCed disctimiDatory treatment. Six employees· Stated .
that th~y Me· not.ye1'lel:.l'·at and 0ne- emplQyee~ ,~evinJ3rennan;,·R. white mal~;.Fe.po.rted that hejs '
tr~te4,faidy, but he'has'·seen CPO Rush :yell-an4 t.ep~ everyone. Ritchie Logan, a Blaek
it1ale~ said tjlat he' is: treated 'fairly; 'but he ,bas wit:nessed discfimi;natoty trea:tm:em dlFected toward,
'feIbal~ emplo~s~ . .

': There is tW1denoetnat,the.Asststant ChiefPrDootion. OiiWeFS'. ,d!Q'oot illy p.~cipatein

" .:community sl!!p.~Sic:>l'l P]:~s. ~s is'supptmed by ,the statements. from bQththe ~hief '
probation· o~· an.~ the/' ~si$taut q~ pr.o~~ ~~rs .., '1heif- ~ted'p.articipation in
"community· 'sup.etyi~i0n is cooq-my to· the major duties. ~s d~s~bed.:in both the Job'Descnption
:and the miio~, contract wm.41 States;ibat the- assistant. em¢ PFQbatlOjl! ofiieets, are- re~iwn~ible {'Of
perfo~VaDooS:eominunity·telations ae:ttivit~s> such 'as, addressing,ncignoorb:o.od,~oups~ ,and
'. '/SUCh. duties may.
h¢ pe.'J!/fJrmed di.!ri.ng regtrJar 'w.01?k. i1ffJu1!S or du.ring q{ter-hOtffs (sectiQll 17.09).

There':i~evjde~~ tb;at CPO'Rush changed· ACPO Tra-C¢y-Walsh?s. fleXible wotkhollrs,. but

·evetltu~y r~-ated'hw fu:>.urs fe· S~OO' aiJJ ;.. 4.:00.pm.. . There,is eYi~~t.ha1:CiPO . Rush
'~tho~:Pr()'baiWn'~ K-eVitt·Br.-ennan.to. work!tOO,arn - 4:00 pm,wltOOut :a,change~
·'T.hereft)re;. :CPO'~~~a'gem_ d¢ciSioo te change. *e:'h~i:i ~f$f¢mate empl~~nlay'
be viewoo:·as ,disp3rattrtr~et:J.t. , "

.' Thefe:~'~',e~Ge:te-d~e. if'oompensatoty time waS pf0penY"all<:>c,ate.a to,'the ACPO?s,as

: ~tnPared ttlth¢ probation (illic¢r.. IIi order'to ~e·a.cpnclusi9D,.anaudit-ofthe time :sheets .
,milst be'ooIiduete.dlo-d~~,whetli~ some probatron, ofiieers:·are ~ted\ more oompeDS3te>Iy'
time than other ,probation officers and, asslstant ·chief pr-obatiOn officeE$':

24

OCP0789
 .: ., "" .

. Reccmmend#joDs'

1. .It is, recommended that CPO James Rush examine his ma.nag~t stYle beCause some
employees at the 'court ~ive. the existing management style as harassing, ~scriminatory,
.disrespeCtful, intimidating, ~using; undermining supervisory duties, '~g. and restricting
. employees' oPpbrtunity for 'CaI'eeT advancem~t. . .

2. It .is :recommended ~t .the Assistant ChiefProbati~. ~Rel~ Brown and Maty :Tracey-
Walsh r~cive fair and equal treatment as compared to other probation officers regarding
:cumm~ supervision assignnients, compensatory tinie and other beilefits. of'employm~nt.
is
It recommended that-all the'complainants. be treated with· respect.

3.. It is'reco~ended~t thiefP~obationofficer James RUSh.iOOE)nsidertlie·m~ement

,d~Qn ron~ to
probatibn oounter .assi~~nts, r~"ate attendance meetings and '
communitY pr~am siJper.visipn ~ irlelud'e the AC:I~O"~ in all upeoming llleetings.
.. .
to
4; 1t ,is recomm:en4ed Tha.t,an independen~ audit of the .tmr.e 'sheets be oonducted .determine
': whether some·pro~tfo.il oft1eers: are granted mote eompeasatoly)ime than Qther pEoaauon
,officers·'and assistant cbiefprebatioll Officers.
, . "

. ,

5. Probation: dep~ent. mana~r.s. and other ~w1l, p.~so_el sh01:ild attend CIDmfal sensiti'\!ity.
·tpW.dng.

.6. '.All probation 'department "employees should have· a uniform S!gn;out' proeedm:e including
.. 'notifica~on given to ~ supe~sor. "

7~ It·is recomriiended _ AsSistant ChiefProbafun~ers.are. ~eluded in. the. decisi011 malting

process ~nd impIemea.tatil)~ ofnew policies. .

:8,· It is re.co~e.d. that CPQ.James.. R1lsh'~d oth,er ~as.~ at the. West ~OJfbmy PMsiQJl
-Of the BO.st0~·:Mri.ni~M Court 'do, not rt1t~~t:38_ the ·etnploy~ :Whl;l filed'this complaint.

25

OCP0790