The Denver Civil Service Commission struck a forceful blow for transparency when it fired a hearing officer who barred the public from a police disciplinary hearing earlier this year.
And if that sounds harsh, it isn’t in context. As the commission noted in its termination letter, Hazel Hanley’s move to bar the public gave the impression that she was advocating “for one party rather than remaining impartial until the issue was appropriately raised.”
Moreover, her fear of a “media circus” in a case of allegations of an officer having sex while on the job was nothing but conjecture, the commission indicated.
“Purporting to restrict the access of the press and media to public information in retaliation for ‘anticipated intimidation’ is poor and unacceptable case management,” it said.
It’s good to see the commission jump on an instance of unprofessional conduct by a hearing officer given controversy over some officer decisions in recent years.
Closing a disciplinary hearing is a serious matter, and must be based on more than prejudicial musings.
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