Retired Denver police are concerned that a perception among active-duty officers that the manager of safety is leveling overly harsh discipline will lead officers to avoid confrontation with law breakers, former Police Chief Jim Collier said Tuesday.
“We support law and order and the need for assertive, active police officers who are not afraid to be interactive and curious, to look at what’s going on around them, and to fulfill their duties without feeling like their every action could be grounds for discipline,” Collier said. “We firmly believe that should law and order be pushed aside, we’re not going to like what moves in to take its place.”
Collier was Denver chief under Mayor Wellington Webb from September 1991 to October 1992.
This year nine officers have been fired, seven by Manager of Safety Charles Garcia, who took office in March, and two by his predecessor, Mary Malatesta.
While most were involved in incidents involving force, they were fired for lying about details of the altercations. Under rules put in place in 2008 under former Safety Manager Al LaCabe, an officer who lies in connection with an investigation, even if it is a first offense, will be fired unless there are mitigating circumstances.
The retired officers are calling on Mayor-elect Michael Hancock to “take steps to alleviate this atmosphere, be it either real or perceived,” Collier said.
Hancock said he applauds Garcia’s implementation of the discipline matrix, which clearly states penalties for various transgressions.
“I can tell you that the only response that the manager of safety has made using that discipline matrix has been the right thing to do,” Hancock said.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
