Sept. 16 report: 3 city supervisors violated EEO policy in 2023 harassment case

A September 2026 internal report found that three San Diego supervisors violated the city's Equal Employment Opportunity policy during a 2023 sexual harassment dispute. The findings were released just weeks after Lifeguard Chief James Gartland abruptly left his position, ending a career that spanned approximately three decades.

The timeline of the incident began in June 2023 when a lifeguard reported receiving unsolicited explicit photographs and messages from a former romantic partner. The employee told investigators that the coworker had also offered money in exchange for sex. On June 28, 2023, the employee reported the issue to Sergeant Dana Vanos. Vanos initially assured the employee that their job was safe, a claim she later disputed during interviews with city investigators.

The next day, Vanos requested a written statement, which the employee emailed on June 29. A meeting with Vanos and Sergeant Eric Care followed on June 30. The employee stated the session lasted about two hours, while Care recalled it lasting closer to three. Instead of outlining an investigative path, the sergeants presented the employee with two choices: resign or face an investigation that would likely end in termination.

Care told investigators that he drew a diagram during the meeting to help the employee understand the options. He said the chart showed that an investigation could lead to termination. Care explained that the employee appeared shocked and struggled to process the information. "I literally had to write it down," Care said. He also noted that the employee was expected to make a decision before leaving the room. Vanos acknowledged that the employee seemed uncomfortable and possibly scared during the session.

The employee resigned. City investigators concluded that the sergeants created an environment where the employee felt unable to leave the meeting without making that decision. Gartland was also held responsible because he directed the sergeants to conduct the meeting and understood that resignation would be presented as an option.

Investigators found a second major violation in how Gartland reported the incident to city officials. On July 3, 2023, he emailed a description of the situation as a dispute between two former partners who had exchanged inappropriate photos. He stated that both employees had resigned. This account omitted the allegation of a money-for-sex offer and the reporter's written statement.

Based on Gartland's email, officials in the Professional Standards Unit and Equal Employment Investigations Office determined that further investigation was unnecessary. One official wrote that there was no need to investigate if the photos were exchanged only between the two former employees. Gartland replied that the paperwork had been processed and considered the matter closed. He forwarded this exchange to the sergeants, telling them they did a great job.

The city's investigation also raised questions about departmental practices. Gartland told investigators that the Lifeguard Division had conducted similar meetings since he was a sergeant. Care admitted that offering resignation was sometimes done to save the city the time and expense of an investigation. Employment attorney Brennan Kahn noted that these factors suggest a larger problem may exist, potentially affecting other employees who were pressured to resign.

The consequences for the involved lifeguards extended beyond their departures. Gartland recommended that neither employee be rehired by the city. The reporter's separation paperwork listed the reason for this recommendation as "Contact Lifeguard Chief." In a September 14, 2026 memo, investigators recommended that the Personnel Department review and remove the no-rehire designations for both employees.

On September 18, 2026, investigators sent letters to Gartland, Vanos, and Care notifying them of the findings. The Fire-Rescue Department retains the authority to determine any further action for the supervisors. Gartland left city employment weeks after the report was finalized. City spokesperson Nicole Darling declined to provide an explanation for his departure, stating that the city cannot comment on personnel matters.