The Denver Police Chief is recommending that a police Sergeant be fired for covering up the DUI / DWAI, C.R.S. 42-4-1301, stop of a former Colorado State Legislator. The Legislator was allegedly stopped by another Denver officer on suspicion of DUI / DWAI. Although the legislator failed all aspects of the field sobriety test (roadside maneuvers), admitted to drinking, and smelled of alcohol, the officer who made the stop was ordered by this Sergeant to not charge the Legislator with a DUI when they realized who she was. Instead, the Sergeant cited her for a minor traffic violation, and called a cab to pick her up. Additionally, she overlooked the fact that the Legislator was carrying a loaded weapon in her vehicle, and therefore could have also been charged with Prohibited Use of Weapons, C.R.S. 18-12-106, for possessing a weapon while intoxicated.

It is not uncommon for police in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Adams County, Colorado, to give preferential treatment to people who are in important positions. However, what is even more common is the preferential treatment police officers are given by their fellow officers. How many stories have we seen in recent years about police who look the other way when one of their colleagues is allegedly beating his wife, or about a police officer that gets away with murder with just a slap on the wrist because he blames the unarmed person he shot for evading arrest?

This Sergeant should be fired, similar to many other Denver Police who are caught beating innocent citizens. Instead of fulfilling their sworn duty to serve and protect the people who gave them their power in the first place, Denver Police look at us, the general populace, as criminals who they can abuse. We rarely see police in other jurisdictions like Aurora, Lakewood and Centennial committing the level of violence Denver Police are routinely involved with.

Don’t expect any special favors from the police if you are just an ordinary citizen. At the O’Malley Law Office, what we see on a daily basis are cases where the police presume that you are guilty of DUI / DWAI or some other crime, twist anything that you say to them to help their case, and try anything they can to circumvent your Constitutional rights. If you have been charged with a crime in Denver, Weld, Boulder, or Jefferson County, Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us today at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future