The Denver Post
Cops rally for Turney, protest 10-month ban
Saturday, April 17, 2004 -
About 500 Denver police officers cheered boisterously Friday afternoon at a union meeting as fellow officers expressed support for beleaguered officer James Turney, union officers say.
"It was very emotionally charged," said Mike Mosco, president of the Police Protection Association, of a closed union meeting Friday afternoon. The officers were angry about a decision to punish Turney, he said. Denver Manager of Safety Al LaCabe announced Thursday that Turney will be suspended for 10 months without pay for the fatal shooting of developmentally disabled teenager Paul Childs last summer. "All these officers behind me feel Turney acted the way he was trained," Mosco said from the steps of the union building, 2105 Decatur St. About 200 officers stood behind him. A few hours after the police meeting, about 50 protesters gathered in front of the District 2 police station in northeast Denver to call for Turney's dismissal. "This guy shouldn't be carrying a gun," said Doug Vaughan, one of the protesters. It was the second protest this month in front of the station to which Turney was assigned at the time of the shooting. "We are pleased with the suspension, but it falls short of what we want," said protester Shareef Aleem. "We want the removal of James Turney." If Turney decides to return to his job after the suspension, he will only be allowed to hold an administrative post. His attorney, Doug Jewell, has said he will appeal LaCabe's ruling. Union members agreed to visit Mayor John Hickenlooper's office Monday to tell him that they think Turney's punishment was harsh and unfair, Mosco said. Police Chief Gerry Whitman, who attended the union meeting, said several officers expressed concern that their split-second decisions in dangerous circumstances will be second-guessed. "They need to react quickly to keep themselves safe and people around them safe," Whitman said. "What they need to realize is they have the support of the administration." Whitman had recommended that Turney be suspended for 20 days. He declined comment on LaCabe's decision. "All I do is make a recommendation to the manager of safety," Whitman said. But several police officers said any punishment against Turney, who attended the union meeting but didn't speak afterward, wasn't justified. "It was outrageous to give 20 days," Detective Michael Staskin said. "We don't know why this officer was suspended. He's devastated." The city reacted to political pressure from activists who make denigrating police their full-time job, Staskin said. Police officers have established a credit union account for donations to support Turney while he is out of work. Whitman said Turney may get a different job, with department approval, during his suspension. Helen Childs, Paul Childs' mother, was at the 90-minute protest where activists carried signs and chanted slogans calling for Turney's badge. Childs declined comment. Kirk Slowe of Lakewood was driving by the protest near the intersection of Colorado Boulevard and Bruce Randolph Avenue when he decided to stop and join. "I'm just putting my money where my mouth is," Slowe said. "We always talk about things in private; now I'm here doing what I've got to do." Some drivers passing by honked their car horns in approval, but at least one driver disagreed with the protesters. A woman driving a blue car used her horn to get the attention of protesters and then flashed her middle finger at the group while screaming vulgarities. She drove off when the light turned green. |