A Denver Civil Service Commission hearing panel has upheld the firing of a police officer who was found in contempt of court by a judge handling his divorce case.
The three-member panel decided that former Manager of Safety Charles Garcia was right when he found that Kenneth Z. Briggle engaged in conduct unbecoming an officer by failing to pay taxes owed in a joint filing with his wife.
In settling the divorce, Briggle agreed to pay those taxes.
Briggle appealed Garcia’s decision to the Civil Service Commission. He can appeal the panel’s decision, dated Dec. 8, to the Commission or to the District Court.
Weld County Judge Elizabeth Strobel found that Briggle “had the ability to pay the tax obligations but refused to do so,” according to the panel’s findings. She sentenced him to a 60-day jail sentence and he served 34 days of work-release.
Briggle only reported his conviction to the police department when he knew he would likely be sentenced to jail, the panel said.
“A 60-day jail sentence for a police officer who is tasked with upholding the law is unacceptable. A law enforcement officer who has no respect for the legal system, who would rather go to jail than comply with a legitimate court order, cannot successfully maintain his position as a police officer,” the panel said.
Briggle couldn’t be reached for comment.
Police Protective Association President Nick Rogers declined to comment on the decision.
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
