Incidents put police brutality in spotlight
But complaints actually down 13.6 percent in '08
By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News
Published February 2, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.
These are the stories that make headlines:
* A video shows a Denver police officer slamming the face of a handcuffed bicyclist into the pavement.
* A cell phone captures another Denver police officer shoving a woman backwards, breaking her wrist.
* Another officer is accused of jumping up and down on the back of a 16-year-old as he lay in an alley, begging for his life.
In the last year, two Denver police officers have been charged with assault, stemming from accusations of on-duty brutality.
Today, the city is expected to shell out $10,000 to Trudy Trout, who was shoved to the ground after celebrating a friend's 50th birthday at a comedy club a year ago. Her attorney says officers lied about the incident in reports.
Although it's easy to identify a handful of high-profile use-of-force incidents, determining whether that translates to widespread brutality is far more difficult. In fact, complaints of "unnecessary force" were down 13.6 percent in Denver last year.
Andrew Reid, a civil rights lawyer in Denver, said allegations of brutality are the result of failures in training and supervision and a culture that rewards police officers with medals of valor when they are involved in fatal shootings.
"They have, in my opinion, a number of felons on the police force. They know it, and they refuse to address it," he said.
Chief Gerry Whitman said it's important to remember that there are "a lot of details to these situations" that are not made public, either because of personnel issues or because of an active investigation.
"You have to take into consideration that we handle hundreds of thousands of calls and last year we made 72,000 arrests," he said. "We get very few complaints about how much force we use and about the conduct of the officers. That doesn't mean we don't take seriously the complaints that we do get, but by and large, the conduct of our officers is exemplary."
Denver officials say the system in place to deal with rogue officers is effective.
In fact, two officers are facing assault charges. Officer Michael Cordova, 32, was charged in December with two counts of second-degree assault stemming from the arrest of John Heaney outside Coors Field last April. A video shows Heaney face down on the pavement when it appears Cordova pulled his head up by the hair and slammed his face into the ground.
Officer Charles Porter, a 12- year veteran, was charged in May with first-degree assault, accused of jumping up and down on the back of Juan Guillermo Vasquez, then 16, in April. Vasquez received an $885,000 settlement from the city.
In 2008, citizens lodged 195 allegations of "unnecessary force" against Denver police, according to the Office of the Independent Monitor, which investigates police use-of-force incidents. Another eight allegations came from inside the Denver Police Department.
Numbers aren't yet available on how many of those allegations were sustained, but it's likely not many. In 2007, there were 235 allegations of "unnecessary force." Only one was sustained.
Use-of-force allegations are "traditionally extraordinarily hard to prove," particularly if there isn't a video or statements from officers who object to a colleague's conduct, said Richard Rosenthal, the city's independent monitor.
"Officers are given an enormous amount of discretion in the amount of force that they use, which is really required," Rosenthal said.
Geoff Alpert, a professor of criminology at the University of South Carolina and a nationally recognized expert on police use- of-force issues, said incidents like the one involving Heaney, who was handcuffed, are simply "bad policing."
"There's no excuse for using force on a controlled suspect," Alpert said. "That's excessive when that happens."
Determining if a department has a serious use of force problem is much more murky. To do that, Alpert said, police departments need to ask themselves some tough questions.
Are officers responding to more violence? Is the abuse alleged against a particular suspect or group of suspects? Is it happening in a particular area? Does it involve a particular group of officers? Is there a reason for the force?
In Denver, Rosenthal said, police have one of the best early warning systems, which, among other things, tracks officer activity, complaints and commendations. The prosecutions of Cordova and Potter indicate the police department is taking appropriate action when cases come to light, he said.
"Things like this will happen in a large urban department. The issue then becomes how does the department deal with it and if they deal with it, well, you're in good shape," Rosenthal said.
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February 2, 2009
12:38 a.m.
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Domino writes:
There can never be any trust between the police force and civilians as long as the police department investigates and the district attorneys, who depend on the police, prosecute.
February 2, 2009
5:30 a.m.
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CrazyDogOwner writes:
Wouldn't Chief Gerry Whitman make a great congressman ??
Spin... spin....spin..... The beat goes on.
PB is real. Sadly, the idiot bad cops make the stellar good cops look bad when this happens. Living in denial of this is totally wrong, Mr. Whitman. You know it happens, so let the public know that you are addressing this issue. Why did those officers lie when they were bashing that man's skull on the sidewalk? "Not us!"
One video to expose a rotten tomato.
No wonder the bad cops get upset when cameras are around.
February 2, 2009
6:19 a.m.
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Oh_Wise_One writes:
The cops need to put the beatdown on Congress over their "Porkapullozza" they are trying to pass for The One.
February 2, 2009
7:24 a.m.
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justiceisblind writes:
I'd like to know why Rocco-McKeel hasn't been charged with 2nd Degree Assault like the cop in Lodo for breaking the guys teeth on the sidewalk. He should also be charged with perjury but the DA won't do either one of those guys because doing that would jeopardize any case they investigated or testified on...and with good reason...no credibility, just as credible and a reason to overturn a conviction especially if the DA withheld the information from the defense...no surprise there...
February 2, 2009
7:36 a.m.
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slocatch writes:
I bet that all of those that criticize the loudest and longest have never been hunted and watch too much tv.
February 2, 2009
7:56 a.m.
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Deepstroke924 writes:
Somebody needs to get these "dirty" cops off the street and put them where they belong...PRISON!!
February 2, 2009
8:18 a.m.
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ron65ron writes:
"the police department is taking appropriate action when cases come to light" what about the ones that come come into the light and they get away with? these are the ones that are dangerous that lead up to the ones that are brought into the light.
February 2, 2009
8:26 a.m.
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ramblinrose writes:
every time I've needed police assistance I was laughed at and ignored...my mother eventually died because the cops were too busy ignoring an underage person making pleas for help. magically, though when I don't need them(cops) and we are doing nothing wrong low and behold there they are ready to arrest and issues tickets going so far as to search and pat us down with absolutely no probable cause, if you resist and demand they produce probable cause and have to give a valid reason for their search, they ignore you, bully you, threaten you and tell you if you don't shut up you'll be getting more than just a "pat down" if you would call assault a "pat-down"...with disgust then letting us go. I go...guess they didn't find anything and couldn't find a reason to arrest us but it was obvious they wanted too...guess picnics aren't legal anymore, eh? I'm terrified of cops. Every single time a person gets arrested it is always the cops word that is taken as gospel...we live in a military state and the cops are just our prison guards! I for one fear them!
February 2, 2009
8:40 a.m.
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Diff writes:
This is long over due with regard to the Denver Police Department!
I for one am very glad to see this story!
Thanks Rocky Mountain news..
The high profile cases and the number of complaints, are probably only reflective of a portion of the actual inappropriate, rough treatment of those who come into contact with the DPD. There are those who's situation make it hard, or maybe impossible for them to make a complaint. Those who do not know they can, those who might be afraid of retaliation, those who may voice a complaint and it goes unheard, or simply dismissed.
This is more than just a police brutality, or excessive force problem - it is the culture and the general attitude of the department. Take into account as well the number of questionable shootings. Several of which the city has also paid out settlements on over the years. It seems that a number of those settlements are reached before they actually go to court. Ever wonder why? Perhaps the City and the DPD do not want the details of some of those incidents aired in open court. I am sure that at least play a roll.
Do you ever hear of an officer being disciplined, by the force - or any result of there own investigations? Seems they also want to keep that under the table as a "personnel matter". How often even in the high profile cases do we hear about an officer being charged with anything and or loosing his job? Maybe if these things were done more in the open and reported - it might help to improve peoples faith that the system works - to at least some degree.
Two of the biggest problems surrounding this issue are "code of blue" and the fact we have police policing them self's.
Serious changes on the DPD are long over due, and maybe this hopefully can get some light shed on the situation, it has been left in the shadows for far too long!
February 2, 2009
9 a.m.
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nedhed writes:
ron65ron is right on the money. The police were prepared to let these incidents get swept under the rug until video evidence was presented showing the behavior. If those videos didn't exist, no action would have been taken against the officers. The attitude is to believe the cops in all cases.
February 2, 2009
10:02 a.m.
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montbello_1 writes:
I would like to say thank you to the Denver liberal media outlets for always portraying the Denver Police as ruthless thugs who need to be run out of town. Since the city of Denver is faced with a budget crunch, Denver Police should be given two weeks vacation all at the same time and let the good citizens of Denver govern each other through the good faith of friendship and kindness. When a man and his six month old are shot inside their home in NE Denver, let the three suspects go free to commit other crimes. When a drunken woman drives her truck to kill two innocent people on the way to the airport, she can go free and not answer for her crimes, when someone steals a soldiers medication, Denver should let her go free. When the Broncos won the Super Bowl, the fans should be able to tear up LoDo to their delight without being stopped. On a personal note, my cousin was raped and the Denver Police stood by her side and caught the person who did it and now he is locked up for 60 years. Yes, the incidents highlighted in this article are not excusable and those officers should take their punishment like a man. The Denver news never reports the full scope of the story so we always get the one side that will make their ratings look good. “Denver Police use unnecessary force to arrest man according to the victim,” never mind the fact the victim of the beating was drunk and just beat his wife to the point where she had to go to the hospital and the “victim” said to police you are going to have to fight me to take me in. There are criminals out there who want to harm you because you are a different, want to break into your house and steal your stuff because they can. So I say thank you Denver Police for your tireless work in the Denver area. To the anti police comments here, I hope you get your wish and all police departments are dismissed and let the cities and counties be run under good faith and friendship. When a murder happens to one of your friends or family, give the killer a kiss and hug and send him on his way.
Hold the individual officer accountable for their actions, not curse the department because there are good police officers out there.
February 2, 2009
10:08 a.m.
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tao41 writes:
If the police REALLY wanted to minimize, if not totally alleviate, the public citizenry of their fear and concerns respective of police violence, and, arguably, sadly visible indifference to the public welfare, they could begin by putting away their pseudo robo cop costumes until genuine need calls for them to wear them. They seem to revel in playing dress up.
I have not seen, as yet, a single valid time when these storm trooper outfits were really needed! This also goes for the police officers on swat teams. There are far more discrete ways to wear protective gear. They get all clowned up in their black costumes, and then they turn on really bright lights all over the place that makes them quite visible, not to mention the excessive red, white and blue lights they like to display. Wouldn't one or two sets of lights, bright as they are, be enough?
While I do understand the need for aggressive response to violent behavior I can never endorse needless brutality against people already under restraint. A society is judged by its' treatment of its' weakest members, this includes anyone under restraint by the police. When we remain silent after inappropriate force is used by those who are paid to protect us we encourage them to continue their contemptible and criminal behavior.
Keep your cameras and video recorders handy, and use them when you see criminality occurring from those who are supposed to help us all. This does not take away from the majority of police officers who continue to do an exemplary job.
February 2, 2009
10:19 a.m.
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tao41 writes:
As far as discrete protective gear is concerned, the Secret Service and the U. S. Marshals come to mind. Seems to me the Texas Rangers do it well also. I am sure the British "Bobbies" could also teach the Denver police a thing or two about comportment. There are others as well.
February 2, 2009
10:25 a.m.
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666 writes:
I'm kind of sickened by the fact that a few cases (admittedly severe cases, but hardly 'widespread') of abuse of power have all the megaphone types bleating about how the evil forces of order are repressing them.
Yes, it is something that needs to be dealt with quite thoroughly. The police, as representatives of the law, should act unquestionably in accordance with that law. They should have no leeway in cases where an obvious wrong was committed by them, and the judicial officials that work with them should push that much harder in cases like this, or else their own claim on law is tarnished.
No, policing the police shouldn't be at the discretion of average citizens who will put their own biased opinions before the common good. A person who firmly believes that driving 20 MPH above the limit, running stop signs and not using their turn signal are all aceptable behavior...is not a qualified judge of appropriate legal conduct. And that's about 1/3 of the polulation of Denver.
And it's a bad idea to base all your judgement on what you see and hear on the news. News media sensationalize everything...it's what they do. Do some real research. A lot of people will cry "police brutality" if they get a speeding ticket.
It's irresponsible to try to create an atmosphere of "all cops are bad, down with the DPD" because that just causes more problems. It makes the cops nervous to be out and about among throngs of brainwashed cattle who eagerly react when told to hate 'the system'. And it makes people more likely to resist any attempt by the cops to keep the peace.
Bystanders screaming profanity at police that are trying to arrest someone who habitually breaks the law...that's not social awareness, that's being a mob of idiots. It makes the police more likely to react defensively, thus creating a bad situation.
So, please save your scathing criticism of the 'evil system' for the few times in which it's justified.
February 2, 2009
10:29 a.m.
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jbowen43 writes:
Looks like these cops watch too much television and cannot tell fantasy from reality. It's hard to tell which front range police department is more sadistically brutal Denver's or Colorado Springs'.
February 2, 2009
10:33 a.m.
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tao41 writes:
Well said 666.
February 2, 2009
10:40 a.m.
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Who_Me writes:
Well said, that is, until he gets his teeth knocked out and then you'll hear him squealing like a stuck pig.
February 2, 2009
10:47 a.m.
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just.anotherguy31 writes:
Some of you people are sad. Yeah, this is a problem but coming out of the wood-work to bash all cops is pretty pathetic. It seems that some of your trips through the justice system left a bad taste in your mouth, and this is your way to "get back." Well, way to go people. Type away and tell the world how cops are evil. If it makes you feel better, go for it!!!
If you feel offended by this, I guess that means I am talking to you. You know who you are.
February 2, 2009
11:06 a.m.
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666 writes:
Well, Who_Me, Cthulhu forbid that I try to encourage some reason in people who don't seem to know what that is. Some people (like you) apparently have nothing better to do than try to make things worse between the police and the people they protect. It's folks like yourself that make the cops feel like none of what they do is worth it.
February 2, 2009
11:15 a.m.
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slocatch writes:
Thank you defenders of freedom for all you do. Wish our leadership would take as good of care of your assets as you take care of us. We would not have free speach with out your efforts. Most efforts to my civil well being are met without hesatation and usually proactively, prior to problems. Every one can make an error, it's what we learn from it that counts. It looks like overall, you have a great avarage. Thanks, Any comparisons should be directed south.
February 2, 2009
11:29 a.m.
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Who_Me writes:
What do these cases have in common? Other cops lying to help cover up the abuse/brutality/mistake. Sure, there aren't any culture problems in the department, it's just the few bad apples all by themselves. Right.
February 2, 2009
12:12 p.m.
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MGD writes:
If all 203 complaints were vaild (highly doubtful) out of 72000 arrests made, that is about a quarter of a percent of arrests made with too much force.
I agree that there should be 0 arrests made like the one with the bicyclist but these numbers are hardly indicitive of an epidemic. There should be an independent investigation into each of the complaints and those who are convicted of too much force should forfeit all retirement to pay for the investigation.
By the way, for the most part the police don't protect you directly, they generally investigate crime. If you don't want to be the victim of a crime, you had better protect yourself. The police get a lot of bad guys off the street which protects us all but there are many more still out there.
February 2, 2009
12:21 p.m.
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Diff writes:
666 - you do make a good point - not all cops are "bad cops" and I expect most want to do there job well, and safely and are not out to beat people up, even the worst of the perps.
That said please consider that even the good cops will turn the other way - and protect the bad cops. secondly that if this is a deep running, systemic, cultural problem within the DPD - as I believe it is, from things I have heard from former cops and a couple close to the department, and Denver Sheriff deputy. It is a culture and basic belief that they can get away with it - so it grows and then becomes the norm - Then something more drastic needs to happen than just dealing the the errant officer(s). there needs to be a shake up, and a change of how and by who things are reviewed.
I think at this point it needs to be a change at the top! Maybe bring in a our next Chief from another state so it is not just another one of the good ol boys in charge.
February 2, 2009
1:12 p.m.
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Diff writes:
Very interesting that this story is now gone for the lead pages?!?
I had to pull my history to find it again - Did DPD's finest visit the paper this morning?
Be Afraid, Be VERY afraid!
February 2, 2009
1:26 p.m.
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bigtinda303 writes:
It is sad for the cops that are trying to do the right thing and be a good cop. Most cops never get respect because they never give any respect because of what people have seen or heard. In most professions if your not doing your job the right way you will get fired. But not the DPD, To serve and protect i don't think so. They are the biggest gang in Denver, to serve and protect each other that's about it. They are the ones to sever and protect under oath and they lie and do things like this, because they were a badge dose not mean that they are above the law. They should be prosacuted to the fullest extent of the law when breaking it. They are sworn to serve and protect and when they do not do this who is the real crimanials? They should be fired and procuted to the fullest they are the ones under oath. If you didn't do your job right what would happen to you. Fired.Enought said!!!
February 2, 2009
2:09 p.m.
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JINX writes:
Diff and bigtinda- how bout you put a badge and belt on and go show them how it's done. You guys have the answers, stand up to the drug induced ex prisoner and talk it out with them. Explain to the idiot holed up in his house with his kids and wife with a gun that you have the answers.
You read these stories like the "victim" is truly a victim, they did nothing to instigate the problem. They were just sought out at random and persecuted. They didn't try to flip the hat off a person who told them they were a cop. They didn't try to get involved in a disturbance and tell the cop how to do his job.
look through those rosey glasses and guess the atmosphere of the police dept. Me for one, hopes every idiot out there is afraid of the police and what they may do to them, keeps me and mine safer.
February 2, 2009
2:26 p.m.
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Grim_Reefer writes:
Way to spin the facts, JINX..just so long as you and yours are 'safe', right...?
February 2, 2009
2:27 p.m.
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delilah_quintana writes:
THIS PAGE IS A COMPLETE JOKE POLICE ARENT HERE TO PROTECT AND SERVE THERE HERE TO BEAT AND ABUSE...THEY DON'T PAY FOR THERE CRIME THEY GET PROMOTED!!!!!! DPD HAS GONE WAY TO FAR WITH POLICE BRUTALITY AND AS FAR AS THAT GOING DOWN LOOK LIKE IT WENT UP AND THE YEAR HAS JUST BEGUN.....GET A NEW POLICE CHIEF DENVER AND START BY GETTING ANOTHER MAYOR,THAT WOULD HELP AND GET THE MAN WHO RUNS INDEPENDANT MONITORS OUT OF DENVER THIS ANENT CALIFORNIA BUT HE'S TRYING TO MAKE IT WORSE THEN LAPD.HE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE ABUSE IT KEEPS HIM WORKING....
February 2, 2009
2:44 p.m.
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gopbodybagz writes:
JINX writes:
Me for one, hopes every idiot out there is afraid of the police and what they may do to them, keeps me and mine safer.
Jinxy, your abuse and excessive force against the english language reveals all we need to know about your brainpower. You calling anyone an idiot is amusing.
To quote you," me for one, " are afraid of nuts like you! LOL, LOL!
February 2, 2009
2:47 p.m.
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Diff writes:
JINX - police are supposedly trained to handle situations and people in all kinds of situations - nothing -NOTHING any criminal ever does should make them subject to being beat at the whim of ANY law enforcement agent! I don't pretend to know how to do it, or be in a position to tell the police HOW they should do it. I am not trained as a law enfocement officer. But other police agencies seem to find a way without the reputation of the DPD of every citizen Guilty or NOT having to watch every word and every action or possibly become the VICTIM of what some cops thinks is right for them at the moment - or the reputation that they shoot first, and don't even bother to ask any questions! No one should fear the police if have they commited a crime small or large, or done nothing at all that they might just end up getting shot or their teeth knocked out. Your attitude is such I bet you'd get hired by the DPD, maybe you are already a member - either way your attitude and those like it a part of the problem - but you see the US constitution gives the citizens rights in the USA -
Police want be regarded as professionals and respected for the job they do - then they need to behave and treat others as professionals would, and show basic respect for every citizen they have contact with - no mater what they might eventually decide to charge them with, or not.