Whittier Police Department settles sexual abuse claims by 4 women

The City of Whittier has agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle claims brought by four women who allege they were sexually abused and groomed by a former police officer while participating in the department’s Explorer program in the 1970s.

The lawsuits allege the abuse occurred during ride-alongs and at the officer’s home. Two of the women, who spoke to NBC4 on condition of anonymity, said they were teenagers at the time and had joined the program with aspirations of working in law enforcement.

“I started when I was 15 because I had wanted to become a police officer,” one woman said.

According to court documents, the women accuse former Whittier Police Officer Charles Drylie, who also served as an Explorer adviser, of repeated sexual abuse. Drylie is still alive, according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.

The Demarco Law Firm, which represents the women, filed the lawsuits against both Drylie and the City of Whittier.

The women said they did not come forward until decades later, after discussing their experiences with each other in 2020.

“We both started crying when we started talking about it,” one of the women said. “It was such a release because we had kept this quiet.”

One plaintiff said she was assaulted both at Drylie’s home and during ride-alongs in secluded areas of Whittier.

“I was 16 and it continued on,” she said. “The assaults happened at his home and they also happened when I was on a ride-along.”

Court documents also allege one of the women was assaulted after being invited to Drylie’s home under the pretense of receiving help with interview skills for a volunteer promotion.

“He put his arm around me and said, ‘I’ll help you out, but at my place,’” she said. “It was his residence, and he attacked me in his home.”

The Whittier Police Department describes its Explorer program as a volunteer opportunity for young people ages 16 to 21 to gain experience in law enforcement through clerical work, traffic control and community events.

In a statement, the City of Whittier said in part that the alleged incidents occurred decades ago and that those involved were no longer employed by the department when the allegations surfaced.

“The City embraces a culture of respect and an environment of safety for all employees and community members, including the Explorers,” the statement said.

The women said they hope sharing their stories will encourage other survivors to come forward.

“It’s something I have to deal with forever,” one said. “They should know they are protected if they come forward. Back then, we didn’t have that.”

Full statement from the City of Whittier can be found here and below.

The City of Whittier is currently working to resolve lawsuits filed by six plaintiffs who
allege misconduct by former police officers in the 1970s and early 1980s, during their involvement
in the City’s Police Department Explorer Program. The City takes these allegations seriously, while
placing the highest value on the safety and well-being of our community members. The City is
continuing efforts to resolve these cases, and while they remain in active litigation, only limited
information can be shared. The settlement costs will be covered jointly by the City and its insurance
provider.

The alleged incidents occurred decades ago, and the defendants involved had not been employed
by the Whittier Police Department for many years prior to any allegations being made. The City
understands the effect these matters have on those involved as well as on our broader community.
We remain firmly committed to ensuring safe and supportive environments for all participants in
all City programs.

As we all know, there have been numerous cultural and legislative advancements in the past five
decades. Our Police Department, as well as the rest of our City departments, have kept pace with
these changes. The City embraces a culture of respect and an environment of safety for all
employees and community members, including the Explorers.

In addition to the numerous mandates, federal and state laws, as well as City policies, have evolved
to establish mandatory reporting and investigation policies. These continued efforts underscore
our commitment to promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
within the City, the Police Department, and the community we serve.