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May 8, 2009

City, Fairview police chief are taken to court

By Cass Rains, Staff Writer

A former Fairview Police Department dispatcher is suing the city and Police Chief Robert Banks for sexual harassment and wrongful termination.

The suit was filed April 30 in Major County District Court, and Sherry Baker is seeking in excess of $10,000, as well as court costs and attorney’s fees.

In the suit, Baker said she was “subjected to a hostile work environment, including but not limited to, sexual harassment and discrimination.”

While under the supervision of Banks, Baker said she was exposed to sexually explicit, crude and offensive language and the actions of her supervisor, Banks.

The suit also claims the city of Fairview failed to take ap-propriate action against Banks and to prevent a hostile work environment. It also states the city failed to provide a “reasonable reporting mechanism” for reporting such problems.

Baker’s suit also alleges negligence on behalf of the city in its hiring, training and supervision of Banks. It also alleges the city failed to properly investigate the professional history of Banks.

In the suit, Baker said she was terminated in August 2008 as a police dispatcher for not receiving permission to take sick leave when her daughter was recovering from surgery. The suit also states Baker had been instructed not to contact Banks when he was off duty, and she followed those instructions, then was terminated for not contacting Banks.

Fairview City Manager Dale Sides said the city has not obtained an attorney but ex-pects the city’s insurer, Okla-homa Municipal Insurance Group, to provide one. He said the city just recently had been notified of the suit.

“At this point in time we have no comment,” he said.

No one answered a number listed for Baker Friday afternoon. She is being represented by Jerry Kirksey, of Edmond.

According to online court records, Major County As-sociate District Judge N. Vinson Barefoot has recused himself from the case.

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