Darleene Barrientos
LOS ANGELES -- A 20-year police veteran told jurors Friday that he
sent gifts to a probationary officer and asked her out while he was
her supervisor -- the latest revelation in a seemingly endless stream
of head-turning testimony in the Glendale Police Department's
sexual-harassment trial.
Under questioning from plaintiffs' lawyer Brad Gage, Sgt. Mark
Hansen said he bought Officer Katie Frieders flowers, sent messages
to the communications device in her patrol car, signed cards to her
that read "Love, Mark," and paid a service to serenade Frieders with
the song, "Unforgettable."
Hansen works in the department's Community Police Partnership
division.
Frieders, along with Glendale Police officers Renae Kerner and
Jamie Franke, are suing the city of Glendale, alleging they were
sexually harassed, then retaliated against when they complained to
superiors
Hansen testified that he and Frieders went on four dates in 1996,
while Hansen was her supervising sergeant and Frieders was a
probationary officer.
"I called her twice, and she called me twice," Hansen said.
They stopped dating because "I got the vibe she wasn't
interested," he said.
Gage asked Hansen to confirm a statement he made in a deposition,
in which the sergeant stated a lack of handholding and kissing
indicated Frieders' disinterest in continuing the relationship.
Hansen said the statement was correct.
Gage read aloud from transcripts of Hansen's previous trial
testimony and deposition regarding the reasons why Hansen had sent
Frieders flowers.
In Friday's testimony, Hansen said he thought he sent Frieders the
flowers for the anniversary of her mother's death. Gage read Hansen's
previous trial testimony aloud, in which he said he couldn't remember
why he sent the flowers.
"I sent the flowers because I enjoyed our date and I wanted to go
on a third or fourth date, whichever one it was,'" read plaintiffs'
co-counsel Chris Brizzolara from Hansen's deposition.
Gage asked Hansen whether he had ever sent Frieders a message,
"Hi, B." Hansen said he probably had.
When Gage asked him if it meant "Beauty," or "Banks," Hansen said
he couldn't remember and it was either one.
Judge David A. Workman became impatient over repeated objections
by Sergio Bent, one of the lawyers representing the city, during
Gage's questioning.
"Both sides are over-objecting," he said. He warned both lawyers
that they needed to pay more attention, and make objections only when
appropriate.
"Don't scatter-shot objections, hoping something will work,"
Workman said.
