Rockland councilors to vote on settlement Police officer’s complaint could cost city $11,000

ROCKLAND – City councilors are expected to vote Thursday on a settlement with a police lieutenant who had complained to the Maine Human Rights Commission, alleging racism and sexism within the department.

If the deal is approved, the city would pay $7,000 in legal fees to Lt. William Donnelly’s attorney, Matthew Keegan, and $4,000 to Donnelly for what is being called “damages,” City Attorney Greg Dorr said Tuesday.

Beyond that, the city cannot disclose the other terms of the settlement proposal, Dorr said.

By law, the deal reached during mediation with the Maine Human Rights Commission is confidential, he said.

The council met in executive session Monday night to discuss the pact, but took no action.

In October, Donnelly filed a complaint with the rights commission, charging discrimination under the Whistleblower’s Act, saying he had been recommended in July for a demotion because he had brought to the attention of his supervisor incidents of racism and sexism within the department, Dorr and City Manager Tom Hall confirmed.

No other complaints of that nature were received from other staff, they said. In the months since the complaint was brought, a majority of officers in the department’s union took a vote of no confidence in the lieutenant, Hall said.

Later, Donnelly was placed on paid administrative leave because of increased tension in the department.

The city planned to conduct an independent investigation into Donnelly’s allegations, but was unable to find someone to do the job. The parties then agreed to mediation.

On Jan. 7, a mediation session was held in Augusta with Human Rights Commission mediator Fran Davis and a settlement pact was hammered out. Present were Hall, Dorr, Police Chief Alfred Ockenfels, Donnelly and Keegan.

Last month, Hall asked Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower to respond to Donnelly’s allegations in writing, which he did. At that time, Hall said he was “comforted by his response.” Hall was not available Tuesday for comment.

“It’s going to be obvious Lieutenant Donnelly is remaining in the department,” Dorr said Tuesday when asked about terms of the proposed settlement.

Dorr confirmed that Donnelly, who has been with the department for 17 years, is a candidate for the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. He is scheduled to attend the three-month schooling beginning April 1, Dorr said. The only cost to the city is Donnelly’s salary while he is in training, he said.