Alaska city and police officer agree to $325K settlement

SITKA -- The city has said that the amount the municipality paid to settle a lawsuit filed by police Officer Ryan Silva was $325,000.

Silva signed the settlement agreement and a release of all claims on October 28; Silva, Interim Administrator Hugh Bevan and the executive director of Silva’s union, the Public Safety Employees Association, signed a Letter of Understanding around the same time.

Silva filed suit in Sitka Superior Court last year alleging he was retaliated against for pointing out problems in the department, and for taking time off from his job with the police department for periodic duty in the Coast Guard Reserve, which he said was a violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act.

The city denied all claims, and no admission of liability is in the settlement agreement, City Attorney Brian Hanson said just after the agreement was signed.

Read more: http://sitkasentinel.com/7/2012-05-10-22-08-10/local-news/15708-city-settles-silva-suit-for-325k