A Denver police officer who lost his job because he couldn’t carry a gun after a domestic violence conviction argued for more time on the force today, saying that a judge has ordered a new trial in his case.
“I am just asking that I can continue to get my legal matters cleared up so that I can continue to be an officer,” Sean Pierson told a three member hearing panel that is considering his appeal to the Civil Service Commission.
Deputy Safety Manager Ashley Kilroy ordered Pierson “disqualified,” from the department after he was convicted of harassment, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment in Adams County Court. Pierson was accused of pushing his then-girlfriend and punching her in the back on May 19, 2010.
A District Court judge said the trial judge made a mistake by not allowing witnesses for Pierson to testify that he didn’t go near the woman on the day she accused him of assaulting her, Pierson argued.
He has a new trial set for April 18, according to a court database.
Kilroy disqualified him after his conviction in July last year on three of four charges . She said he could have been disqualified after June 4, 2010, when a protection order went into effect that barred him from carrying a firearm. He was given a job that didn’t require him to be armed and continued to work for the department.
The city gave Pierson a chance to clear himself, she said.
“The city could have disciplined him much earlier. He hasn’t been able to carry a gun for over a year.”
Pierson represented himself during the hearing.
“I understand completely that the city was doing me a favor giving me time to clarify these legal matters, I’m going as fast as the law will let me,” he said. “In April I will show it wasn’t true. I shouldn’t have lost my job over it.”
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
