Denver Police Chief Robert White has eliminated layers of review that delayed discipline in cases of alleged police misconduct, appointing one commander to handle a job formerly done by multiple members of the command staff.
White, who has been reorganizing the department since he was sworn in last December, appointed former Deputy Chief of Operations Michael Battista to serve as conduct review officer and recommend discipline to the chief. White said in most cases once Internal Affairs completes its investigation the change will eliminate the time needed to review the results by half.
Review of most cases presently take 60 to 90 days, though some take longer because witnesses aren’t available or other problems arise, White said today.
Under the system used in the past, after IA completed an investigation, the case was handed off to a number of command staffers who had to review the files while continuing to do their regular jobs. “When someone in the chain is doing this, they’re not going to stop everything they have to do to review these investigations,” White said. “It really impeded us.”
When Battista, who will have a staff of five, has completed his review he and White will go over the cases together. White then will make a recommendation to Safety Manager Alex Martinez.
The city’s Independent Monitor will still have the ability to oversee the investigation and review of the case at all steps along the way, White said. The monitor’s job is now vacant.
The new system will also assure that cases result in the proper outcome, White said.
At a press conference to announce the changes, Martinez unveiled a clarification of language in the department’s discipline rules that he said had led to confusion and questionable decisions by those who hear officers’ appeals of termination or other punishment.
In recent cases a Civil Service Commission hearing panel overturned termination for officers, concluding the city failed to prove the officers knowingly committed a “material deception.”
The rule change makes it plain that anyone who “intentionally” commits a deceptive act in connection with an investigation or judicial or administrative proceeding can be terminated, Martinez said.
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
