Whatcom County Sheriffs Office detective alleges gender discrimination, harassment within agency

A detective from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has filed a tort claim seeking $30 million for alleged gender discrimination and harassment within the agency. Her complaint, submitted on October 23, outlines years of emotional distress as the agency's only female detective. The situation escalated in April 2025 when a male detective shared an AI-generated explicit video involving her, which was distributed among colleagues. After filing a complaint about the video, she claims her concerns were disregarded, and the responsible detective faced no repercussions. Sheriff Donnell Tanksley has confirmed the initiation of two investigations into the claims, with one being handled by an external firm.

The detective accused of creating the video has been placed on administrative leave pending a criminal investigation. These allegations follow a separate tort claim filed by former health director Erika Lautenbach, highlighting ongoing issues of gender discrimination within the county. The outcome of these investigations could significantly impact agency policies and workplace culture.