In 2021, former officer Lee Brainard filed a lawsuit alleging that Police Chief Lee White forced him out of his position through harassment after Brainard refused to lie during an internal investigation. Brainard claimed he was placed on a performance improvement plan, excluded from meetings, and encouraged to retire early. He ultimately retired early, citing stress and financial loss, and sought compensatory damages for lost income and emotional distress. ([spokesman.com](https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/feb/26/lawsuit-claims-coeur-dalene-police-chief-forced-of/?utm_source=openai))
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