Hunter’s allegations stem from a complaint she made to the Salem Police Department’s internal affairs unit in December 2025. She said a sergeant mishandled a child sex abuse investigation and prematurely closed other cases without believing victims’ accounts.

After learning of the complaint, the sergeant confronted Hunter, yelling at her and telling her that department leaders were “livid,” according to Hunter’s attorney, Caitlin Mitchell. Mitchell said reporting concerns about victim safety and the handling of sexual assault cases should not expose an employee to intimidation or reprimand.

The council approved the settlement without public discussion. The city’s resolution states that Salem does not admit fault. City Attorney Dan Atchison recommended settling to avoid the expense of extended litigation, according to a memo to the mayor and council. City spokesperson Robert B. Layne II declined to comment.

The sergeant was not publicly identified by Hunter’s lawyer, and it is unclear whether the department investigated the alleged misconduct.

Hunter, 43, joined the Salem Police Department in 2013 and worked as a detective in its Special Victims unit, where she also trained new officers on investigating child abuse and sexual assault cases. She resigned in April and now teaches in the Salem-Keizer School District’s career and technical education program.