Warm Springs Police chief fired amid credibility concerns

Just a year after her appointment as chief of the Warm Springs Police Department, Crystal Levitt has been fired from the position.

Her firing comes after her credibility was brought into question during investigations into allegations of misconduct in the department.

According to various published reports, concerns over Levitt’s credibility came in her reaction and statements related to an officer’s sexual harassment case against a lieutenant. The officer in that case also filed a harassment case again Levitt.

The tribes then began an investigation, alleging she lied during unemployment benefits hearings following the officer’s resignation. Retired Woodburn Police chief Jim Ferraris conducted the inquiry.

According to reporting by the Oregonian, the officer who filed the initial sexual harassment claim against a lieutenant was put on leave in April 2023.

Extensive reporting by The Oregonian outlines the sexual harassment claims, stating the officer claimed a lieutenant was falsely claiming an officer was having sex and showering with another male officer. The complaint was leaked within the department, and the officer experienced further harassment. The Warm Springs public safety manager began an investigation six months after the initial complaint was filed.

According to Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training records, the officer who filed the complaint was put on leave after allegations they failed to show up for mandatory firearms training. They instead resigned and filed complaints against Levitt and the department.

Concerns about Levitt began after unemployment hearings were held for the officer, who has successfully appealed their denied unemployment claim after their resignation.

Statements made by Levitt during the hearing contradict statements made by the officer about the requirements for hours in between each shift worked. Levitt’s statements continued to contradict previous statements, according to reporting by The Oregonian.

The investigation initiated after the hearing and complaints found Levitt uncredible and led to her firing.

Levitt has been unavailable for contact in the weeks before her firing was announced.

Levitt began the position in April 2023. She has previously worked as a corrections supervisor but had never been certified as a police officer. Levitt was first named interim chief when previous chief Bill Elliot resigned to take a position with the Washington State Guard.

Levitt entered the basic police academy training course at the state Department of Public Safety Standards & Training in October, and she graduated in March 2024. According to state records, she requires further training to be certified as an officer.

Tribal officials stated Joshua Keyes, an officer with WSPD since 2013, is heading the department, and has been while Levitt was at training. He will continue as acting chief until a new chief is hired.