A Colorado House committee met Thursday to hear lengthy testimony on three police bills that are part of a package of bills being considered by lawmakers in the wake of high-profile police shootings in Ferguson and New York.
These three measures are among the more controversial ones, and unlike a handful of others, do not have a Republican co-sponsor.
State Rep. Angela Williams, a Denver Democrat, and Sen. John Cooke, a Greeley Republican, recently joined The Denver Post TV’s On The Spot political show to discuss the police bills. (See video below.)
One of the interesting exchanges came when Williams said she agreed with about his concerns that police have “demonized young men of color.”
“I would agree with the lieutenant governor’s statement,” she said. “We know — and it’s not a secret — that we see more of some of these behaviors occurring in communities of color. That no secret. That’s why I took a lead on sponsoring these bills. It’s important that we do protect our young people of color.”
Cooke, a former Weld County sheriff, took exception. “I don’t agree with that,” he said. “I don’t agree with that at all. I think, again, that is stereotyping law enforcement. And I don’t think law enforcement goes out there with the attitude of demonizing everybody.”
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