The City of Whittier has agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle claims brought by four women who allege they were sexually abused and groomed by a former police officer while participating in the department\u2019s Explorer program in the 1970s.<\/p>\n
The lawsuits allege the abuse occurred during ride-alongs and at the officer\u2019s home. Two of the women, who spoke to NBC4 on condition of anonymity, said they were teenagers at the time and had joined the program with aspirations of working in law enforcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started when I was 15 because I had wanted to become a police officer,\u201d one woman said.<\/p>\n
According to court documents, the women accuse former Whittier Police Officer Charles Drylie, who also served as an Explorer adviser, of repeated sexual abuse. Drylie is still alive, according to the plaintiffs\u2019 attorneys.<\/p>\n
The Demarco Law Firm, which represents the women, filed the lawsuits against both Drylie and the City of Whittier.<\/p>\n
The women said they did not come forward until decades later, after discussing their experiences with each other in 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe both started crying when we started talking about it,\u201d one of the women said. \u201cIt was such a release because we had kept this quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n
One plaintiff said she was assaulted both at Drylie\u2019s home and during ride-alongs in secluded areas of Whittier.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was 16 and it continued on,\u201d she said. \u201cThe assaults happened at his home and they also happened when I was on a ride-along.\u201d<\/p>\n
Court documents also allege one of the women was assaulted after being invited to Drylie\u2019s home under the pretense of receiving help with interview skills for a volunteer promotion.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe put his arm around me and said, \u2018I\u2019ll help you out, but at my place,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cIt was his residence, and he attacked me in his home.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Whittier Police Department describes its Explorer program as a volunteer opportunity for young people ages 16 to 21 to gain experience in law enforcement through clerical work, traffic control and community events.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the City of Whittier said in part that the alleged incidents occurred decades ago and that those involved were no longer employed by the department when the allegations surfaced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City embraces a culture of respect and an environment of safety for all employees and community members, including the Explorers,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
The women said they hope sharing their stories will encourage other survivors to come forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I have to deal with forever,\u201d one said. \u201cThey should know they are protected if they come forward. Back then, we didn\u2019t have that.\u201d<\/p>\n