Lake Havasu City, AZ, Firefighters Cut Amid Harassment Probe from Previous Department

Two Buckeye firefighters, who left after sexual harassment claims were substantiated, didn't mention the probe to the Lake Havasu City Fire Department.

Two Lake Havasu City firefighters, who engaged in sexual harassment at their previous department, are no longer employed.

While at the Buckeye Fire Department, investigators substantiated that Capt. Joe Frazier and Engineer Ryan Clark were involved in "severe and pervasive" sexual harassment, ABC15 reported after obtaining internal documents and body cam video. 

Multiple witnesses reported that the sexual harassment was routine, with cadets and people involved in the ride-along program saying they were  questioned about their sexual preferences, virginity, and sexual experiences.

Clark declined a reporter's request for an interview via e-mail while Frazier never responded. Both denied the claims against them.

The investigators determined Frazier allowed a high-school-aged rider to stay overnight at the fire station on at least two occasions. He also had a photo of a shirtless male teen, involved with the department, on his cell phone.

The teen denied he felt threatened.

The internal documents showed Clark admitted to bringing a gun on fire station property, causing fellow firefighters to fear for their safety and lock their bunk rooms at night.

He threatened to “take down” staff who raised the allegations, records show.

Buckeye Fire Chief Jake Rhoades declined to be interviewed after the investigative report was released.

Clark and Frazier left and went to work for the Lake Havasu City Fire Department. Neither reportedly mentioned the harassment investigation against them.

When contacted about their new employment before the initial story was published, a city spokesperson said they were unaware that they were at the center of a sexual harassment probe.

Days later, however, city officials wrote in a statement:  “Probationary Firefighter/Paramedics Joe Frazier and Ryan Clark are no longer employees of the Lake Havasu City Fire Department."

About the Author

Susan Nicol

Susan Nicol

News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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