If you harbored any doubt about the wisdom of the recent push to more stringently punish cops who misbehave, news of yet another potential settlement in a police misconduct case should disabuse you of that notion.
The Denver City Attorney’s office is recommending a proposed $117,500 settlement for Tyler Mustard, who said police beat him with a flashlight in 2008.
Mustard, who has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers involved, maintains an officer beat him without provocation and lied in saying Mustard hit the officer first.
This comes on the heels of a $795,000 settlement paid in May to a police beating victim, and stricter disciplinary actions against officers that have resulted in seven firings this year.
Safety Manager Charles Garcia, hired less than three months ago, already has fired five officers for various offenses.
Richard Rosenthal, independent police monitor, has consistently supported stricter rules, particularly those concerning officers who lie.
We applaud the actions, and the role that interim Mayor Bill Vidal has played in injecting urgency into resolving police disciplinary cases.
We hope mayoral candidates Chris Romer and Michael Hancock are paying attention and stand by their pledge to consistently enforce police disciplinary rules.
