Des Moines police Maj. Lillie Parker is the subject of a settlement agreement with the city, according to a Des Moines City Council agenda published Thursday, Jan. 22.
Details of the claim and settlement were not included in the agenda. Peter Zemansky, a spokesperson for the city, confirmed the settlement is for $975,000. The city had no further comment.
In council documents, the city said: “Lillie Parker is represented by Attorney Alfredo Parrish from whom the city received a demand letter and with whom attorneys on behalf of the city negotiated regarding the demand letter.” The city attorney recommends the Des Moines City Council approve the settlement at its regular meeting on Jan. 26. Parrish declined to comment.
Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department, directed the Register to city legal for comment.
Parker, who joined the force in 1999, became the first African American female sergeant — and later, lieutenant and captain — to serve in the Police Department in 2009. Parker is a major who oversees executive projects in the Police Department.
Parker was the only woman among the eight finalists in the running for the role to succeed Dana Wingert, who announced his retirement as police chief in 2024. City leaders ultimately selected Michael McTaggart, a 26-year Des Moines Police Department veteran.
Parker was not among the two finalists for the role of police chief in 2024, even though she was the top pick from the Des Moines Civil Service Commission, a committee charged with weeding out candidates.
The city has settled with employees of the Des Moines Police Department in the past. Notably, the City Council in 2024 approved paying out nearly $2.4 million to four female employees alleging decades of sexual discrimination in the agency. The female officers sued the department in 2021, alleging leaders failed to prevent or adequately respond to a wide range of misconduct, including unsolicited nude photos from male coworkers, sexist insults and unwanted touching and groping.
The Des Moines Police Department serves a population of more than 211,000 people. With 373 sworn officers and 105 civilian employees, the police department is the largest in the state of Iowa, according to the city’s website.
This story was updated to include new information.
Register reporter Kyle Werner contributed to this report.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines to settle with female police major passed over for chief
Reporting by Virginia Barreda and Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
