A former officer of the Willits Police Department has been awarded $2.25 million dollars in a settlement in return for dropping a civil lawsuit against the the Willits Police Department for sexual harassment by one of her former superior officers. Natalie Higley in her suit stated that Lieutenant Derek Hendry perpetuated a hostile, sexist and racist work environment. The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training is investigating Hendry, who is no longer employed by the city of Willits. If claims made against him are verified, Hendry will never be able to work as a law enforcement officer in the state of California again.