YAKIMA
After being found guilty of discriminating against police officers, what's next for Yakima Police Chief Sam Granato?
Yakima Police Patrolman's Association President Bob Hester said that officers can continue working with Granato, but only if he stops discriminating against union members and violating officers' rights.
Granato became chief in 2003. Since then, he's been found guilty of discriminating against officers four times.
Hester says the department - chief relationship is strained, but could be fixed if Granato changes his ways.
Those ways have cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hester is not sure if or when City Manager Dick Zais will say enough is enough.
"I do believe that at some point you have to look at the entire portion of all the moneys that are being spent and try to figure out a way to reduce that liability to the city," Hester said.
Friday's verdict stems from a disagreement with Officer Elaine Gonzalez. The city of Yakima was also found guilty of withholding public records from the union.
There is also the matter of two civil cases filed against Granato last week by Sgt. Brenda George and Capt. Rod Light.
While the union won't get involved in those, Hester thinks this ruling helps the officer's cases.
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