Former Washington Police Cadets File Lawsuit Accusing Instructor of Sexual Misconduct

Two former cadets at Washington’s police academy have filed a lawsuit alleging they and several other female colleagues endured months of sexual harassment by their instructor, Mike Carter reports for the Seattle Times. The two officers in the suit allege that Officer LeLand Allen, formerly of the Port of Seattle police, used his power and authority to sexually harass and touch the female recruits of an academy class that graduated in February 2022.

The class contained six female cadets, all of whom complained at one point or another about Allen’s behavior, according to the suit. Both the plaintiffs, Snohomish County sheriff’s Deputy Haydyn Wagner and Port Orchard police Officer Aimee Allen, claim that Allen constantly subjected them to unwanted touching and attention that made them “feel uncomfortable, upset and violated.” The class, after discussing it with its elected officers, decided to hold off on reporting Allen’s behavior until after graduation so as not to invite retaliation