ACLU: Denver Fails to keep pledge use-of-force reports

The American Civil Liberties Union accused Denver officials Thursday of failing to live up to a 2003 pledge to issue reports in all confrontations in which police officers kill or seriously injure someone. To date, Manager of Safety Al LaCabe has issued one letter, in the July 2003 shooting death of Paul Childs, a knife-wielding developmentally disabled teenager. Mark Silverstein, the ACLU's local legal director, cited nine use-of-force cases since the Childs shooting that have resulted in deaths or serious injuries. LaCabe said Thursday that he was looking into the issue. "I can't tell you that I am personally aware of the circumstances of all nine, nor can I identify all nine," LaCabe said. "But I will look into all of those, and if reports should be prepared, then they will be prepared." The report requirement was part of a sweeping series of police reforms announced by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in December 2003. The requirement was cited by LaCabe and Police Chief Gerry Whitman in a letter to the Department of Justice last year that touted steps taken by the city to reform the department. Silverstein said it is important for the city to live up to the commitment it made as part of an effort to increase transparency and build trust in the police department. LaCabe said Thursday he intends to fulfill that pledge. [more]