Kitchener-Waterloo

WRPS superintendent named in harassment lawsuit retires

A senior Waterloo police officer named in an affidavit, as part of a proposed multi-million dollar class-action lawsuit, retired Wednesday.

Pat Dietrich was named in an affidavit for $167 million class-action lawsuit against WRPS

A police sleeve patch that says Waterloo Regional Police
Two female police officers launched a class action lawsuit against WRPS in May 2017, claiming they were subjected to systemic and institutional gender-based discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault on the job. (Colin Butler/CBC)

A senior Waterloo police officer named in an affidavit, as part of a proposed multi-million dollar class-action lawsuit, retired Wednesday.

Waterloo Regional Police Service superintendent Pat Dietrich said "I will have retired as of January 31, 2018," on his work voicemail.

​An automated email response from his account also states "I have retired from the Waterloo Regional Police Service."

Dietrich's name is mentioned in an affidavit filed for a proposed class action lawsuit against the Waterloo region police force.

Two women filed the lawsuit in May 2017 claiming they experienced "systemic and institutional gender-based discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault," on the job.

The women — a former constable and a current officer with the force on leave — are seeking $100 million for general and aggravated damages and $50 million for exemplary damages. As part of the same suit, the families of the officers are seeking damages of $17 million, bringing the total to $167 million. 

Dietrich is named in the affidavit submitted by Sgt. Karin Eder, who alleges Dietrich sent her a photo of his penis and asked her for a naked photo in return.

None of the allegations against Dietrich and other officers have been proven in court and the proposed class-action lawsuit has not been certified.

CBC News reached out to Dietrich for comment, but he did not respond.