The Denver Posteditorial
Take away Turney's badge
Saturday, March 06, 2004 -
What is a human life worth in Denver? Apparently not much, if one goes by the punishments that two panels have recommended for Denver Police Officer Jim Turney in the fatal shooting last summer of a 15-year-old developmentally disabled boy.
The Discipline Review Board, a six- member panel formed last year as a way to get citizen input into police discipline, includes two peer officers, two command officers and two civilians. The board has found that Turney used an improper level of force in shooting Paul Childs, the disabled teen who was holding a kitchen knife with an 8 1/2-inch blade, but it recommended only a written reprimand. The Firearm Discharge Review Board - made up of the department's division chiefs and the officer's commander - prescribed a 30-day suspension without pay. The decision now rests with Chief Gerry Whitman, who can adopt or ignore the panels' recommendations. As we have said previously, Whitman should fire Turney. Whitman's decision in the matter is subject to review by Manager of Safety Al LaCabe. Also, any punishment meted out to Turney can be appealed to the Civil Service Commission and the civil courts. The Childs killing was the second fatal shooting of a disabled person in which Turney was involved. In January 2002, he and Sgt. Robert Silvas fatally shot Gregory Smith Jr., 18, a hearing impaired-youth who didn't drop a knife when ordered. In the Childs case, other officers who were equipped with less-lethal weapons (Tasers) were standing farther away from the victim when Turney charged up and shot the boy just outside the doorway of his home. In essence, Turney needlessly placed himself in danger, foreclosing the option of disarming Childs without killing him. Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter cleared Childs in the shooting, saying he doubted he could persuade a jury to convict Turney of any crime. But that doesn't mean Turney should keep his badge and gun. A month at home without pay or the equivalent of a note from the teacher are woefully inadequate punishments for a seemingly indifferent disregard for the sanctity of human life. This is one cop who has been too quick on the trigger, and his bad judgment should cost him his job. Violence has claimed enough young people. |