Police officer alleges hostile work environment

BONNERS FERRY — A Bonners Ferry Police Officer contends he has been subjected to a hostile work environment after arresting the stepson of a fellow officer.

Officer John Lunde filed a tort claim on June 24 against the city of Bonners Ferry alleging the arrest of Assistant Chief of Police Joel Minor’s stepson spurred complaints against him which forced him on administrative leave.

Lunde’s tort claim seeks $500,000 in compensation for the wrongful acts in the claim since fall 2012 which have affected his income and loss of wages, loss of enjoyment of life, mental suffering and emotional pain, and loss of reputation in the community.

The following people are listed as involved in the incident in the tort claim: Joel Minor, Steve Benkula, William Herrington, Andra K. Pluid, Mark Lockwood, William Cowell, Geneva Trumble, Tiffany Murray, Dusty Kralik, Ron Pell, Buddy Winters, Don Moore and Rick Alonzo.

The city of Bonners Ferry declined to comment on the tort claim as it is pending litigation.

Lunde, the claim states, was placed upon administrative leave regarding the investigation of several complaints against him which arose after the arrest. Despite his own evidence proving the allegations false and passing two separate polygraphs, Lunde stated the city Bonners Ferry conducted an investigation anyway.

The tort claim states that Chief Steve Benkula began an investigation of the allegations, along with a concurrent investigation by retired Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood.

On March 14, Lunde was reinstated as sergeant but was also placed on unpaid administrative leave for three weeks and probation for one year.

In the tort claim, Lunde alleges that after returning to work he has been submitted to a hostile work environment including not having two consecutive days off in a weekend, being requested to wear a personal camera and being told by the administration that they do not trust him. Lunde also stated that he has received no support from the administration of the city nor from Benkula in his efforts to return to work in a non-hostile environment.

Lunde has been an officer at the city of Bonners Ferry Police Department since 2009.

He previously filed a tort claim in 2006 against Bonner County and top-tier sheriff’s officials alleging wrongful termination of his position as Bonner County Sheriff’s deputy.