Resignation letter accuses UI administration of unfair employment practices
Hunter
6/11/19
The Cedar Rapids Gazette has learned a resigning University of Iowa police officer has accused the school administration of unfair practices in hiring, firing and making promotions.
Jaclyn Anderson sent a resignation letter earlier this month to Scott Beckner, the Director of the Department of Public Safety, with copies sent to president Bruce Harreld, Senior Vice President Rod Lehnertz, the State of Iowa Ombudsman and the UI senior human resources director.
In the letter, Anderson accuses her superiors of a fundamentally flawed practice of assigning K9 officers.
She started as a UI police officer in February 2012 with 18 years of previous experience. She was assigned to a police dog, who was forced into retirement this past December due to an illness. She applied to get another dog, and although she acknowledges that she was passed over due to other competent candidates, she claims that she was asked “unscripted, prejudicial and retaliatory questions” that weren’t asked of other candidates.
She also alleges that other active lawsuits involving the department are not without merit.
When asked for a comment from the Gazette, the university citied confidentiality practices involving employee investigations. Anderson has not filed a lawsuit regarding her allegations.
