DENVER—An official charged with overseeing how officers are disciplined in Denver is criticizing a union he says undermines the punishment police and deputies receive because it pays them while they’re suspended.
“What it really comes down to is a paid vacation for the employee who has committed misconduct,” said Independent monitor Richard Rosenthal.
Rosenthal said the union’s practice “results in a situation where discipline imposed is in name only.”
But the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police said the benefit granted to union members doesn’t nullify the punishments officers and deputies receive and that their salary’s aren’t completely compensated by the union’s fund.
“It’s just intended to help,” said Loveland police Sgt. Benjamin Hurr, treasurer of the CFOP.
The Denver Post reported more than $700,000 is available in the union’s fund, which covers up to three days of a suspension and up to $450 for duty-related misconduct. That can include an officer failing to appear at a work assignment or using excessive force, or abuse of sick leave.
Hurr said about 20 members have used the union’s fund during the last year, but the group would not disclose to the newspaper of how much it has paid suspended members.
“We’re a private organization, and we can do whatever we want for our members” said Capt. Frank Gale with the Denver Sheriff’s Department.
The Fraternal Order of Police includes more than 4,000 law-enforcement officers in the state, but most Denver officers belong to the Denver Police Protective Association. That union doesn’t compensate suspended members, but does pay attorney fees if an officer wants to appeal disciplinary action.
———
Information from: The Denver Post,
