Denver Police Chief Robert White looks at Division Chief Mary Beth Klee’s experience and attitude and sees the right person for the difficult job of policing the police.
Sharelle Thomas, who was shoved by an officer during a chaotic arrest in front of the Denver Diner in 2009 says that her appointment to head the Internal Affairs Bureau makes a mockery of White’s pledge to improve the department.
Klee, 53, was one of the senior officers who reviewed IA’s investigation into the Denver Diner case that involved officers Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine. Nixon called for backup when a fight broke out in the diner and Devine came to help.
Devine, at one point, pulled Thomas and forced her to the ground. Nixon pepper sprayed Thomas and others during the incident.
IA investigated both officers for an excessive use of force, and former Safety Manager Charles Garcia fired them for deception and suspended them for using inappropriate force.
Klee was one of three police supervisors who concluded that the officers acted appropriately in the situation and recommended no action be taken against them. The appointment “is appalling,” said Thomas. “It seems like she is more interested in covering up rather than protecting the public.”
White said he has been impressed with Klee’s experience and her attitude in conversations with her. Klee is a 29-year department veteran who worked as an investigator in IA during her early years on the force. “She has vast experience, she has the courage to make those tough decisions whether they are for or against officers,” White said. “She really understands where we need to go.”
Klee’s appointment is one piece of the changes that White said he has planned for Internal Affairs. Among other things, he plans to move some smaller units out of the bureau.
The Civil Service Commission on Monday temporarily reinstated Nixon and Devine until it can hear an appeal by the city of an earlier ruling overturning their firing. The two will be assigned to positions that don’t require them to patrol the streets, spokesman Sonny Jackson said.
Thomas and three other women involved in the Denver Diner incident have sued the City and County of Denver and Nixon and Devine in federal court.
“Through Commander Mary Beth Klee’s involvement in the Denver Diner incident it is clear that she is a police brutality apologist,” said Siddhartha Rathod, who is a lawyer for the women.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
