A recently appointed police chief in a small Alabama town unexpectedly resigned this week amid an investigation into claims of sexual harassment against an 18-year-old dispatcher who was in her first job.
Cordova Mayor Jeremy Pate told AL.com that Jason Hare, a husband and father, resigned on Monday, less than four months after he was hired.
“We’re aware of circulating information regarding a city employee, but it is our policy not to comment on individual personnel issues,” Pate stated to the media outlet on Tuesday.
Pate acknowledged the investigation and said it was administrative, not criminal.
AL.com acquired footage of a harassment incident recorded on August 26. The video shows Hare approaching the young dispatcher seated at her desk, touching her hair. She tries to brush him off, but Hare leans in close as they appear to view the computer screen together.
At one moment, Hare grabs her head, pulling her toward him while standing as she remains seated. He stands in close proximity and at one stage seems to jokingly place his hands around her neck.
A family member of the dispatcher revealed to AL.com that the young woman was extremely frightened because it was her first job, and her harasser held the position of police chief. Although she didn’t report the incident, a colleague who saw the video checked on her and informed their supervisors.
“She wasn’t going to say anything,” the family member said, “because she didn’t know what to do.”
Cordova, a small town with around 2,000 residents, is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Birmingham. Hare had been appointed as the police chief in late June after serving at the Walker County Sheriff’s Office.
