Officers say comrade injured teenager
By Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Friday, May 9, 2008
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Two Denver police officers confirmed that another officer jumped up and down on a juvenile's back, seriously injuring the teen, according to a court document.
A statement of probable cause, obtained Friday, gives some details behind Thursday's arrest of Denver police officer Charles Porter for investigation of second degree assault, a felony, involving the 16-year-old.
The incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. April 18 after officers saw the boy "consuming what appeared to be alcohol" near West 37th Avenue and Pecos Street, the document said. The boy fled as officers tried to talk to him, but he was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
"The juvenile claims that a Denver police officer stood on his back as he laid on the ground, and jumped up and down three to five times causing him pain," the document said. "Two Denver police officers witnessed the incident and identified the officer . . . as Charles Porter."
The document goes on to say, "A Denver Health physician indicated that the juvenile sustained serious bodily injury to his internal organs that is consistent with the above described actions."
The boy reportedly suffered broken ribs and a lacerated liver.
The Colorado president of the National Latino Peace Officers Association said he is sending a formal request to the U.S. Department of Justice, asking that a civil rights investigation be conducted.
"This was a very violent assault. It put (the boy) in a hospital for a week in intensive care. Almost killed him," said Rufino Trujillo, who is a Denver police detective but emphasized that he was speaking for the association.
Former Denver District Attorney Norm Early would not comment on whether it was unusual for the two officers to speak out against Porter, but added, "It really is an indication that the code of silence is no longer the norm in the Denver Police Department. It really is a healthy sign that officers will talk about the transgressions of another officer."
Denver defense attorney Phil Cherner said he would want to know more about the circumstances that caused the officers to talk.
"It's courageous for the two to come forward and do their job, whoever the alleged perpetrator might be," he said, but added, "It's totally different if there's an investigation and somebody corners the cops and gets them to talk."
Denver police said that Porter's arrest was the result of an internal affairs investigation that is ongoing.
Porter, 40, was suspended without pay Thursday. He has been on the force 12 years and was assigned to the gang bureau.
Porter previously received a 30-day suspension for a March 29, 2007, incident "for failing to immediately notify dispatch of [a] shooting and endangering other officers, themselves and the public through inappropriate tactics," according to a report by the Office of the Independent Monitor, which reviews police conduct.
Porter and his partner were in a car chase with a suspect the night in question when the suspect's vehicle hit a house, according to district attorney and Independent Monitor documents. A foot chase followed, and the suspect reportedly pointed a gun - which later investigation revealed may have been a BB gun - at officer Damon Bowser. Bowser fired two shots, hitting Gustavo Cruz once and injuring him.
When Porter first called in the incident, he said it was a one-car accident.
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May 10, 2008
12:10 a.m.
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kathyM writes:
Porter sounds like a hothead. Not exactly the best temperament for a police officer.
May 10, 2008
5:10 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Looks like this officer will be singing he's in the big house now.I know I had a horrific traffic stop two years ago had a gun shoved in my face and the cop who gave me the ticket.Well he did not show up but his partner did.The charges were dismissed.Charges were dismissed because they did not sho how they clocked me doing sixty in third gear in a saturn.What a dork is the nicest thing about that disturbed little person.
May 10, 2008
6:27 a.m.
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FEDUP writes:
I think the Denver police are one of the few police departments that actually are getting better at “policing themselves”, and this will certainly raise confidence in the community, but it makes you wonder if the other officers were quick to report their colleague and if there was an “investigation” going on already before this incident, why this officer hadn’t been taken out of service already at this point and if this couldn’t have been prevented. Either way, at least these officers were willing to talk, thank goodness, ands those are the kind of officers the community at large is going to feel safer and more confident about---- I just hope these officers get the recognition they deserve because that’s a real sign of true bravery. We need more people like that.
Now all we need is for the Victim Advocates in the Denver DAs office, who will undoubtedly be dealing with this young victim to follow the Denver police department’s example and policing themselves ALSO and weed out some of their so-called: “victim” advocates, who actually spend more time traumatizing victims of crime in Denver further, and then we can really and truly start jumping for joy and having jubilees and fiestas at the remarkable progress in the City of Denver.
May 10, 2008
6:56 a.m.
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elaineb writes:
BRAVO to the 2 officers who came forward.
May 10, 2008
7:19 a.m.
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Anks writes:
Do not run from the police or you may get hurt. My next question is was he an American or in this country Illegally. Because I am so very tired of Illegal people expecting the same rights of Americans. If you are not American you should not expect the same dealings as Americans. Illegal people go back to where you came from.........
May 10, 2008
7:54 a.m.
Vector049 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 10, 2008
8:42 a.m.
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arby writes:
Ummm. Where in the article does it say the victim is Hispanic, or Black, or White, or Asian? Where does it say he is an American or an illegal?
Take your agenda somewhere else race baiters.
May 10, 2008
9:42 a.m.
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AngelontheSidelines writes:
If the officer just shot the kid, he would have had slaps on his back rather than the expected slap on the wrist.
May 10, 2008
12:22 p.m.
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Vector049 writes:
37th and Pecos. It's a safe bet he's not from Dundee, Scotland.
May 10, 2008
1:02 p.m.
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butch_m writes:
Juan's parents:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/09/m...
May 10, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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Milehighguy writes:
In my 39 years of life, I have had no fear of being beaten, shot, hit, jumped on, disrespected, or anything other than protected and served by any and all police. Then again, I don't run, point guns, speed away, or disrespect the police in any way. Funny how this works to my advantage.
May 10, 2008
1:40 p.m.
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xeeian writes:
Yeah, what does he think? That somehow people are endowed with inalienable rights?
What idiot could think that?
May 10, 2008
3:13 p.m.
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Vector049 writes:
It's called Tough Love.
I'm no fan of excessive force, but I'm less of a fan of gang-graffiti on my fence; having the windows of my work truck busted (twice); wannabes carring heaters; 3 a.m. cruisers cranking up the bass on their car stereos to mark their turf like dogs; and a gang culture that breeds like cockroaches.
If it means busting a few heads to re-gain control of the streets of Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, St Louis, Chicago, Memphis, and LA, then I'm all for the tactics of Officer Porter.
If the bad boyz want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness then they need to learn the rulez.
May 10, 2008
5 p.m.
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Curtis writes:
Milehighguy, just curious, what is the color of your skin and income level?
May 10, 2008
5:09 p.m.
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DWolney writes:
Aren't you missing a Klan meeting Vector049?
May 10, 2008
6:23 p.m.
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Vector049 writes:
No sheets here, but no panties either.
May 10, 2008
9 p.m.
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dano writes:
Charles Porter is a pussy. He should get a good amount of time. DPD needs to set a prime example of punishment for rogue officers.
He is obviously guilty and lost his career. Now her ass is going to prison. This is a good day to me.
May 10, 2008
9:41 p.m.
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Milehighguy writes:
Curtis, I'm white, 60K per year income. I think I see where you're going with this... But before you do, I suggest that regardless of your race and income, it would serve you well to not break the law. But if you choose to break the law, don't run, point guns, or evade the police to avoid the consequences of your actions. I've had my share of speeding tickets, and I just pull over and sign for my actions. I even had a bad experience once that put me in jail for a weekend, but it was my actions that caused it. And I still say "Hello" to Officer Tommy Williams when I pass Arapahoe and Parker where he directs traffic for the soccer games in the summer. He was the arresting officer - and I respect him, as he did me.
May 10, 2008
9:59 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Two years ago I got pulled over for speeding.I was driving a satun in third gear.My father going to the doctors and I was taking him there.So it was 90 degrees.My father has a heart condition the officer took him out of the car and mae him stand in the sun.I had a gun shoved in my face and threatened.Then the nice officer called me scumbag and a a$$hole.Then said I feel like towing your car how do you feel about that.Well all I was trying to do was keep from being shot.This guy could not read my registration or insurance papers.Well then he tried the hey it's okay if your speeding it's only a ticket confess to it and we will let you just drive home.Finally I would not confess to doing 60 in third gear.He was extremely mad and a few more threats and finally the ticket was given.We left the officer followed us down the road.Well we went to court the guy did not show up for court.But the partner did and he would not answer why on a traffic stop he pulled a gun.I have no history of robbery or any type of violent crime.The cop would not answer the questions the d.a. put to him.So the judge and d.a. dismissed the case.Then cautioned the officers to stay away from us.So people like this officer are just a threat to the public.So if he gets shoved in front of a jury will then it is his turn o face the music.
May 11, 2008
9:07 a.m.
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DenverTea writes:
I hope the officer is charged for what he did, and pays the appropriate penalty. I have sons, and they are luckily well-trained in how to behave around officers. Some kids do not know what law enforcement officers are capable of. As for whether or not he was in a native or an immigrant, is beside the point - if an officer could do this to this kid, he could do it to yours. All children are valuable, not just the American ones. The immigrant comment displays its authors ignorance, and I hope you become wiser and enlightened. Sincerely, I do.
May 21, 2008
10:48 a.m.
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neighborhoodie writes:
As a resident of this neighborhood, I feel strongly about getting a greater police presence-and having had many dealings with this particular kid and his little gang banging friends, I am having a really hard time coming up with any sympathy-even though I believe the force used by police WAS indeed excessive. It just sickens me to think that this little jerk is going to do the crap he does,terrorize his OWN neighborhood- and catch a totally undeserved break by playing the race card. I guess he has to, because there is no "human garbage" card that will get you a million bucks...what a shame. Maybe some of these guys will straighten up a little (no, they wont. They'll continue to do as they please and hope for a chance to cry disctrimination after they break the law, run from the cops, and get the spanking they deserve. But they're not guilty! it is all because they are mexican-not becasue they are doing anything wrong...yeah, right.)