‘Bigoted and toxic:’ Deputy settles with state academy, Federal Way PD over sex assault claims
May 7, 2025, 5:02 AM | Updated: May 8, 2025, 11:58 am
Snohomish County Deputy Ricksecker. (Photo courtesy of The Stritmatter Firm)
(Photo courtesy of The Stritmatter Firm)
A Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputy settled for $500,000 over sexual assault and harassment claims with Washington’s law enforcement training academy, the Federal Way Police Department, and training officer Richard Klein.
The lawsuit, according to a news release by Seattle-based Stritmatter Firm Tuesday, claimed the state-mandated law enforcement academy “maintained and perpetuated a workplace culture deeply ingrained with sexism and sexual harassment, where misconduct was widespread and systematically tolerated.”
According to the firm, Deputy Ricksecker alleged she endured repeated offensive harassment and assault at the hands of Klein, including renaming her “Ricksucker.”
The news release stated the deputy was also instructed to be the example for the class on how to search “hoes and hookers,” where Klein allegedly used a baton to roam over and “jiggle” her breasts and buttocks.
Deputy says trainees ‘deserve much better’ from state academy
“The culture in the Academy was bigoted and toxic,” Ricksecker said via the release. “The trainees were expected to shut our mouths and move through it. We all deserve much better from the institution that is responsible for setting professional standards in the training of new recruits.”
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In addition to a civil lawsuit, the firm noted Washington filed decertification proceedings against Klein. The Stritmatter Firm also noted Ricksecker is the third woman officer represented by them against the academy.
City of Federal Way stands with Officer Klein
A city of Federal Way spokesperson released a statement to MyNorthwest, stating the city stands with Klein:
“The incident occurred in November 2022 during a training session where Officer Rick Klein was a guest instructor,” the city of Federal Way stated via email. “Officer Klein participated in that capacity in accordance with his training and professional experience. After reviewing the circumstances and Officer Klein’s long-standing service record, the City of Federal Way and the Federal Way Police Department continue to support and stand by Officer Rick Klein. The City strongly disputes both that the allegations raised in the lawsuit occurred, as well as the characterization of the claims in the press release issued by the plaintiff’s attorney.”
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