They say suspension of Turney will make tough job tougher

By Sarah Langbein And Brian D. Crecente, Rocky Mountain News
April 16, 2004

Colleagues of Denver police officer James Turney expressed their dismay Thursday over his suspension, saying that it undermines their discretion.

Turney shot and killed Paul Childs, a developmentally disabled teen armed with a knife, July 5. On Thursday, Manager of Public Safety Al LaCabe announced that Turney will receive a 10-month suspension without pay for the shooting as well as for threats made to Turney's ex-mother-in-law.

Advertisement

LaCabe's decision focused on what he called poor judgment in the days and minutes leading up to the shooting. He said Turney should have closed the door of Childs' house and backed away when he realized that no one was home with the boy.

But Detective Rufino Trujillo said of the decision: "I don't think any officer would have backed out."

Some officers said LaCabe's decision directly contradicts their training.

"I don't agree with it," Detective Jose Garcia said. "The officer did the right thing. That's what he was trained to do. We have never been trained to retreat."

LaCabe disagreed, saying: "I believe there are many Denver officers who would not have shot in that situation." He said the officers risk their lives every day and should not be taken for granted.

But LaCabe said the public demands accountability for the decisions that police officers make.

"The next challenge for this administration is to convince our 1,400 police officers that this decision is targeted to one officer's actions and performance, not the entire force," City Councilman Charlie Brown said in a statement.

So far, that isn't case, and the rank-and-file feel their work is already being second-guessed, police said.

"Officers are going to be reluctant to do anything," Trujillo said. "I think it's a sad state of affairs. Is an officer going to feel safe about decisions?"

When Turney returns to the department in February 2005, he will be reassigned to an administrative position - another step that frustrated some police.

"Guys are generally upset. This has created an uncertainty in their minds," Mike Mosco, president of the Police Protective Association, said of the entire reprimand.

"This is probably going to affect everything a police officer does on the street," Trujillo said. "Turney's just a victim of circumstance."

langbeins@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2536

Copyright 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.