Waukee Police Department Reportedly Faces Civil Rights Complaint

The Iowa Civil Rights Commission has received about a complaint involving the Waukee Police Department, records provided to The Des Moines Register show.

And while officials with the city and commission have either not returned telephone calls or declined to comment, this much is clear from the statement of attorney fees provided to the Register by the city:

• Luke Feld, a Waukee police officer until early March, was fired for undisclosed reasons. The attorney fee statements tie together a commission complaint and Feld’s termination.

• The city’s attorney, Steve Brick, reviewed documents from the Civil Rights Commission on Feb. 21 regarding a complaint against Waukee Police Officer William Daggett.

• A reference was made in the statements about a commission complaint filed against the .

In addition, the attorney fee statements refer to a “harassment complaint investigation” and “sexual harassment issue.” It’s unclear whether the harassment issues are related to the commission complaint.

Also, the statements reveal that Waukee Police Officer Jeremy Long was disciplined and appealed the action. The reason for the discipline was not disclosed, the newspaper said.

Matt Brick, a lawyer with Brick Gentry PC who handles personnel issues for Waukee, confirmed in an email to the Register that Feld had been fired. Brick wrote that there was not a separation agreement with Feld. Brick also wrote that he did not immediately have available Feld’s employment history with the city or the former officer’s salary. Brick also could not provide information about Daggett or Long, according to the paper.

Waukee Mayor Bill Peard and interim City Administrator Brad Deets declined to comment to the Register about Feld’s termination, calling it an internal personnel matter. Waukee Police Chief Larry Phillips also declined to comment.

The Register reported that a Feb. 27 entry on the statement shows that Feld was also the subject of a complaint filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the state department that investigates complaints of discrimination or harassment in workplaces, employment, housing and public accommodations.

Matt Brick declined to discuss the circumstances surrounding the Long investigation and how Daggett is tied to the commission’s complaint, the paper said. 

A Register review of the billing records shows that between Jan. 26 and March 23, the city of Waukee spent about $18,307.50 in legal fees on issues surrounding the Iowa Civil Rights Commission complaints and other investigations involving the city’s police department.