Police, backers protest officer's suspension

By Sarah Huntley, Rocky Mountain News
April 20, 2004

Hundreds of police officers and supporters lined the steps of Denver's City and County Building on Monday to protest the 10-month suspension of a patrolman who killed a developmentally disabled teenager armed with a knife.

The officers chanted, "Serve with pride, serve with honor," as union leaders marched into the mayor's office. They delivered a letter seeking clarification about the discipline imposed by Manager of Safety Al LaCabe on Officer James Turney.

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Mayor John Hickenlooper was at a previously scheduled event and not in his office when the officers arrived.

The crowd, which appeared to number about 600, was upset by what police consider excessive punishment for an officer they say was simply doing his job.

"Our officers are constantly bombarded by the media, members of council and various local pundits all injecting their oft-times uninformed opinions about how Denver officers should handle tactical situations," the Police Protective Association said in the letter to Hickenlooper.

"The members of the PPA strongly feel that Officer Turney acted appropriately and within the policy in place at the time of the incident, and that the discipline received is inappropriate and politically motivated."

Turney was suspended without pay as of Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of Paul Childs on July 5 at 5550 E. Thrill Place.

Turney and two other officers had been dispatched to the home after Childs' sister called 911 to say her brother was threatening their mother with a knife.

The officers confronted Childs, 15, at his front door where he stood armed with a 13-inch kitchen blade. The boy, who was developmentally disabled and had numerous prior encounters with police, ignored orders to drop the weapon.

When Childs moved forward, Turney fired, striking the teen four times. Two others officers had pulled Tasers, less-lethal weapons used to stun suspects, but did not discharge them.

The fatal shooting was Turney's second since joining the department in 1998. In January 2002, the officer shot and killed a partially deaf 18-year-old who was brandishing a pocketknife. The teen's family had called police after he broke through his mother's back door and smashed her car windows.

LaCabe, in a written decision issued Thursday, determined that Turney was following the department's use-of-force policy when he shot Childs. But the manager said the discipline stemmed from tactical errors Turney made in the moments before the shooting.

In particular, LaCabe said the officer violated the "efficiency and safety" rule by ordering Childs out of the house and failing to close a security door that could have created a barrier between the teen and police. The barrier would have allowed police to gather more information and develop a plan, LaCabe said.

The suspension also covered an alleged threat Turney made to his former mother-in-law during a phone conversation while on duty the day before the Childs shooting.

In addition to the suspension without pay imposed by LaCabe, the police chief has determined Turney will be assigned to a desk job.

Chief Gerry Whitman, who attended the rally, had recommended a 20-day suspension for the Childs shooting and five days without pay for Turney's phone call.

On Monday, Whitman shook the hands of officers as they arrived and accompanied the PPA board to the mayor's chambers.

"There are going to be times when I have to make a tough call, but I want it to be clear that I support the men and women in the Denver Police Department," Whitman said.

Several officers said they worry LaCabe is setting a precedent - one that challenges police for using their discretion in tense situations. The end result, they say, could be deadly to officers who hesitate.

The manager's decision "sends a message to myself and all of our officers that we don't know how to do our jobs," Cpl. Steven Clayborn said. "It hurts."

Lisa Dobson, a community activist with the College View Neighborhood Association, came to support police.

"How long before an officer hesitates, trying to decide whether he should save his career or save his life?" she said. "Officers are being sacrificed on the altar of politics."

She was joined by other citizens, including some police spouses.

"You know what? Police officers are human beings, too," said Laura Nuanes, the wife of a Denver police officer. "I really think (Turney) was forced to do what he had to do. His life was threatened."

"I want my husband to come home at night. His life matters, too," Nuanes said.

Several supporters handed out business cards directing the public to a new Web site, www.thebrokenbadge.com, which states the police perspective about the Childs shooting. The Web site is not affiliated with the union.

Police critics have staged several rallies since Childs was killed, including one on Sunday. A few protestors staged a counterdemonstration Monday, shouting, "Shame, shame, shame," during the seven minutes it took the stream of officers to round the corner of West 14th Avenue and Bannock Street and gather on the steps.

Shareef Aleem, organizer of Operation Get Turney, held a sign, "He will kill again."

"We're not against officers who do their jobs and do them well. What we are against is the small minority of rogue cops," said Aleem, who challenged other officers to confront wrongdoing in the ranks.

"They're arrogant. One day's suspension is too much for them. They want to go on as business as usual," he said.

Officers who spoke to the media afterwards said they do not believe Turney should have been disciplined for the Childs shooting.

"Jim Turney didn't make a mistake. Jim Turney did his job out there," Officer Keith Cruz said.

"What if it was your child?" a counterprotestor asked.

"My kid would have dropped the knife," Cruz said. "Otherwise, we'd be burying my child."

Turney, and his wife, Trista, who is also a Denver police officer, participated in the rally. Turney's lawyer has said he plans to appeal the discipline.

While the rally was taking place, Hickenlooper was meeting with federal transportation officials in Golden. Hickenlooper's staff notified PPA leaders about the scheduling conflict Friday when the rally plans were announced.

The mayor is expected to attend the next PPA meeting at noon on April 30. He issued a brief statement Monday afternoon, reiterating that he supports LaCabe's decision.

"The residents of Denver understand that Officer Turney's discipline does not reflect on the rest of the police force. I look forward to meeting with our police officers to discuss the Turney case and any other issues they wish to raise," he said.

The crowd responded angrily to news that Hickenlooper was not available, with some yelling out, "Chickenlooper."

"I think his not being here is his statement about what he thinks of his police department," PPA Vice President Nick Rogers said.

Hickenlooper to meet with officers

Mayor John Hickenlooper has agreed to talk with Denver police officers about the James Turney decision and other issues at the next meeting of the Police Protective Association.

• When: Noon, April 30

• Where: Police Protective Association headquarters, 2105 Decatur St.

huntleys@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5212

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