Citizen oversight board calls for accountability in Denver police lawsuit settlements
A citizen oversight board is demanding more transparency and accountability from the city of Denver in police-related lawsuit settlements.
The board, comprised of nine members, sent an open letter to city leaders calling for a thorough review of the city’s handling of settlements to ensure all aspects are being followed through.
The board’s concerns were sparked by the death of Michael Marshall, who passed away eight years ago this week while in custody of the Denver Sheriff’s Department. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, caused by deputies holding him face down for several minutes. The city settled with Marshall’s family for $4.6 million, but the oversight board found that the non-financial elements of the settlement were not being implemented.
Board chair Julia Richman stated, “The non-financial elements of these cases are the things that prevent harm in the future for members of the public, members of the city, and that's really where the change is supposed to take place.”
In their review of other high-profile settlements, the board discovered a lack of accountability and tracking of progress by the city. Richman stated, “In one case, we found a real lack of documentation... And so, things like that lead us to believe that the city wasn't really taking those elements seriously.”
The board issued an open letter to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and other city officials, expressing their concerns and urging for action to be taken. Johnston responded with a statement, saying his administration is committed to accountability and is open to meeting with the board to discuss opportunities for improvements.
However, the Denver Department of Public Safety, which oversees the police and sheriff’s departments, defended their actions and took issue with the board’s conclusions.
Executive Director Armando Saldate stated, “...the department has complied with the terms that were agreed upon and will continue to be transparent and share improvements with the public to enhance trust in public safety.”
The citizen oversight board discovered that the city has paid out over $17 million in police-related settlements since 2022, including $9.5 million since July of this year.
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They hold public meetings twice a month and frequently question law enforcement officials about various matters.
As Denver continues to face criticism and legal settlements in regard to police conduct, the citizen oversight board is pushing for more accountability and transparency from the city.