The Denver Post
Chief seeks suspension for officer who shot Childs
Thursday, April 01, 2004 - Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman today recommended that the officer who shot and killed 15-year-old Paul Childs last summer be suspended without pay for 20 days, according to police sources.
Officer James Turney also would be suspended an additional five days and fined another four days' pay for allegedly threatening to kill his former mother-in-law last year, sources said.
All the recommended discipline must be reviewed by the city's public safety manager.
An internal police review found Turney used improper procedure when he shot the developmentally disabled teenager on July 5, triggering a massive community outcry.
Turney shot Childs after Childs' family called police when the teen began wielding a kitchen knife with an 8 1/2-inch blade in their home at 5550 E. Thrill Place.
In a 911 call, the teen's sister told an operator that he was chasing family members around their northeast Denver home with the knife.
When officers arrived, Childs walked out from behind a door holding the knife and didn't drop it, despite officers' orders. Although two officers on the scene had nonlethal Taser stun weapons, Turney fired his gun when Childs approached him, according to the district attorney's investigation.
The shooting led to community protests and calls for Turney's badge. Members of Childs' family have filed notice with the city that they intend to sue for more than $5 million and have hired celebrity attorney Johnnie Cochran.
Any discipline must be approved by Manager of Public Safety Al LaCabe before it becomes final. Even after LaCabe rules, Turney can appeal to the Civil Service Commission and a court of law.
Whitman's decision falls between two internal recommendations.
The police Discipline Review Board last month found that Turney used an improper level of force, but said he should not miss work for it. Last month a separate police panel, the Firearm Discharge Review Board, recommended that Turney be suspended without pay for 30 days.
The Childs family and their supporters in the community have called for Turney to lose his badge.
Police union officials have said any punishment is too much.
Turney was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in October after a review by Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter.
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