DENVER-
An independent monitor of officer behavior said Thursday the state’s largest police department generally handles complaints fairly but that residents don’t share that view, despite efforts to make the process more transparent.
“Convincing people who are making complaints, especially when there are so few complaints that are sustained, is a difficult enterprise,” said Richard Rosenthal, a monitor appointed by Mayor John Hickenlooper.
He said changing perceptions will take years.
The department can no longer merely tell residents “Your complaint was not sustained. Have a good day,” he said.
“The independent monitor has helped restore public trust in how complaints and investigations are handled and how discipline is meted out. The system is not yet perfect, but we are encouraged by the efforts of the Independent Monitor and remain confident that this process is making our city safer,” Hickenlooper said.
Under a policy ordered by Rosenthal last year, the department must now explain to residents the disposition of each case, including whether discipline was imposed. Details of the discipline are not disclosed.
If a complaint is rejected, the department must explain why.
Mark Silverstein, legal director for the Colorado chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, declined to comment on the report itself, but said there is no reason citizens should not be given the details of discipline. “Citizens want to know if it was a slap on the wrist, significant discipline or somewhere in between.” He said they can find out through an open records’ search but shouldn’t have to go the trouble.
Last year, police received 614 complaints about officers from citizens and 452 from other officers, Rosenthal said. The Denver Post reported 502 citizen complaints in 2005. Rosenthal’s office said he did not have complete records for 2005.
In 339 incidents in 2006, officers were disciplined, including five who were fired or resigned, according to the report.
He said in one case, officers reported to superiors the suspicion that a colleague was a potential sexual predator. He did not disclose details or the outcome of the case.
Rosenthal said the manager of public safety had not published timely reports on fatal shootings by officers, and should get the staff necessary to do that.
Rosenthal’s position was created after police were accused of several unjustified fatal shootings and unlawful spying on protesters.
Officials of Denver Cop Watch, which monitors police, did not return calls.
Police spokesman John White declined comment.
The 160-page report also provides details of each of 11 shootings officer-involved shootings in Denver last year.
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On the Net:
Monitor’s report:
eports/tabid/426147/Default.aspx
