South Haven officers settle fed suit

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - Three South Haven police officers have settled in a federal suit that alleged they had been sexually harassed and discriminated against because they were women.

Tammy Rumler, Natalie Thompson and Shawn Olney each received a $75,000 settlement, putting an end to the suit against the city -- though the defendants did not have to admit wrongdoing.

In the suit filed in March 2011, the three claimed former Police Chief Rod Somerlott sexually harassed and discriminated against them because they were women. The suit said former city manager Kevin Anderson twice suspended the chief for his actions, but failed to follow through with further punishment.  

The lawsuit also claimed that in 2010, current city manager Brian Dissette held a training on sexual harassment, which the officers claim was intended to "harass, intimidate and single out" the female officers in front of the other officers.

The officers say the current and former city manager failed to act, allowing the harassment within the department to continue.

As part of her recently-approved settlement, Rumler -- previously a sergeant with South Haven PD -- agreed to retire. Her settlement includes funds for the purchase of four years and six months' worth of service credits, which allows for her immediate retirement with full benefits.

Thompson and Onley, who settled in Oct. 2011, will remain employed with the police department.

"We believe the settlement is in the best interest of the City and will allow the Police Department to transition into a new chapter of leadership," current Police Chief Tom Martin said in a Tuesday release.  

Overall, the three settlements cost the City of South Haven $172,957.

The City also said that service will not be affected by the settlement, and that staffing and management remain the same.