Denver Police officers John Diaz and Jeff Cook, who were caught on a security camera beating of a man for offering to be a witness for a driver in a traffic stop, will face no charges.
According to a Fox31 News report, Mark Ashford, 32, was taking his dogs for a walk when the Police officers stopped a driver failing to stop at a stop sign. When Ashford told the driver he saw him stop, and that he would be willing to testify in court, he was detained by the Denver police who demanded to see his I.D. Ashford was about to snap a picture of the officer when a video camera captured both policemen beating him and wrestling him to the ground. Unbelievably, they arrested Ashford for resisting arrest in Denver, and later dropped the charges.
Ashford’s walk to the park ended up with a trip to the hospital. After he returned home, Ashford claimed that Officer Cook was parked outside of his house, and took a picture of him. This further Denver, Colorado, harassment was denied by the officer. Ashford’s attorney filed a complaint against the officers for excessive force.
This case is now closed with the officers not receiving any apparent consequences for their actions. The Fox31 news report indicated that the Denver Police Independent Monitor’s review of the case shows that Officers Cook and Diaz did not violate department policy. Ashford’s lawyer disagreed with the findings.
It is disconcerting that this kind of treatment of innocent citizens is considered acceptable and not in violation of department policy. Do not these officers who enforce the law also need to be held accountable for their actions – especially when in the line of duty? Our law office advocates honoring those in authority, yet that recommendation is diminished when law officers do not act honorably.
If you have been charged with police interference or resisting arrest in Denver County, Jefferson County, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Adams County, or any other Colorado county, you need aggressive legal counsel. As this article points out, it takes an experienced attorney that is not afraid to stand up to law enforcement officers to defend your rights.
Be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.