By Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News
April 17, 2004

Denver police officer James Turney can keep his gun during his 10-month, unpaid suspension, but his badge and identification card have been taken away already.

Police spokeswoman Virginia Lopez said Friday that each officer's concealed-weapon permit is on the back of his or her badge. When an officer is suspended, the badge becomes the property of the internal affairs bureau.

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"As far as a weapon, we don't take custody of that," Lopez said, noting that each officer must buy his or her own gun. "You are not allowed to carry that weapon. It should be at home."

Turney's suspension was announced Thursday and went into effect Friday.

Turney shot and killed mentally disabled teenager Paul Childs on July 5 after Childs refused to drop a knife.

Childs' family sought to have Turney fired, while Police Chief Gerry Whitman recommended a 20-day suspension. The Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance primarily wanted Turney off the streets.

Under the punishment announced by Al LaCabe, Denver's public safety manager, if Turney returns to the force, he will be assigned a desk job.

In the meantime, if Turney decides to get another job during his mandated time off, he will need the police chief's approval. That might nix the possibility of a security guard job, Lopez said.

It is common for officers to moonlight as security officers as a way to supplement their departmental pay.

"He is still considered a member of the police department," Lopez said. "Any non-police, secondary employment must be approved by the chief."

Copyright 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.