Charles Chuck Drylie

PRESS RELEASE

The City of Whittier has paid a settlement to four former female Whittier Police Explorers who were sexually abused by former Whittier Police Officer Charles Drylie and other former officers. The $3.5 million dollar settlement was paid shortly before trials were set to commence on the first of the two former Explorers’ cases. The former Explorers were sexually abused in the late 1970s when they were 14-18 years of age. Several of the Explorers were sexually abused by multiple officers. Evidence developed in the cases revealed there was a culture within the Whittier Police Department of acceptance of male officers abusing the authority of their positions by engaging in sexual activity with underage female Explorers they were supposed to be mentoring.

The evidence in these cases highlighted that officers, including former Officer Charles Drylie, regularly used the “Ride-Along” activity to isolate underage female Explorers, manipulate and coerce them into sexual activity. Since Police Explorer programs began in the early 1970’s the “Ride-Along” has been the most sought after part of the program where Explorers experience policing first-hand. The “Ride-Along” mostly involves a single officer accompanied in their patrol vehicle with a single Explorer for the entirety or most of the officer’s shift. Allowing the officer unfettered and unsupervised contact with the Explorer away from any accountability for many hours at a time, and often late into the evening. Since Police Explorer programs began in the early 1970s there have been complaints of law enforcement officers molesting underage female Explorers, and particularly during “Ride-Alongs.”

“Police Explorer programs, and specifically ‘Ride-Alongs’ are the least safe youth-oriented program in the country when it comes to protecting against minors being sexually assaulted by the adults that are part of the program,” said Anthony M. DeMarco, Esq., the attorney that represented the four former Explorers. “A fundamental rule of youth serving programs across the country for many years has been limiting, or eliminating adults in positions of authority, being alone with a minor without transparency or accountability. Yet Police Explorers programs have steadfastly refused to implement reasonable measures to make underage participants safer,” said DeMarco.

The four former Explorers this settlement are pleased that a measure of accountability has been brought through this case, but they remain concerned that minors participating in Police Explorers programs around the country remain at risk of experiencing exactly what they did. Some of the four former Explorers will be available upon request, to discuss their experiences as will Anthony M. DeMarco, Esq. Press inquiries should be directed to [email protected] and via phone at (310) 927-9277. Materials related to the case can be downloaded at: https://www.demarcolawfirm.com/charles-chuck-drylie/

Charles “Chuck” Drylie

Occupation: Police Officer at Whittier Police Department

Occupation: School Resource Officer at La Serna High School

Occupation: Teacher at La Serna High School

Charles “Chuck” Drylie worked as a police officer for the Whittier Police Department from the 1970s through the early 2000s. At the Police Department, Drylie held numerous roles including working as a Police Explorer Advisor for the Police Explorer program (also known as the Cadet program at times). Four women have filed separate lawsuits against Charles Drylie and the City of Whittier for the sexual abuse and/or harassment they endured at the hands of Drylie while they were Police Explorers. The lawsuits allege that Drylie used his position as the Police Explorer Advisor to groom the girls, who were approximately 15-18 at the times of the abuse. The abuse alleged in the lawsuits occurred in his police car during ride-alongs, while on duty; at his house; and at a victim’s house, among others.

As alleged in the lawsuits, multiple police officers knew or should have known of Drylie’s sexual relationships and abuse of female Police Explorers, but the City of Whittier’s Police Department did not prevent him from continuing the abuse or finding even more victims. Instead, the City reassigned him to be a “spokesman” and a “community relations officer” for the police department, where he worked with children directly as part of his role. The City of Whittier later assigned Officer Chuck Drylieto be a School Resource Officer at La Serna High School, where he continued to have access to minors. Eventually, Drylie also began teaching “Administration of Justice” and “Forensic Science” at La Serna High School. Drylie remained working at La Serna High School at least until the lawsuits were filed against him.

If you have any information related to Officer Charles “Chuck” Drylie’s abuse of minors, please Contact Us. If Drylie abused you either during his time as a police officer or as a teacher, our staff is available to help you begin the process of healing and to pursue justice. Please feel free to reach out to our office to see how we may be able to assist you.

DOCUMENT LINKS:

1. Complaint (Jane D.B. Doe v. City of Whittier)
2. Complaint 2 (Jane D.I. Doe v. City of Whittier)
3. Declaration of former Whittier PD Officer

FURTHER READING:

1. New Report: Sexual Abuse in Police Explorer Programs
2. Irwindale Police Explorer Lawsuit and Settlement