Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
Posted on 03/23/2005 3:21:02 PM PST by billorites
Police Chief Gerry Whitman recommended that Ranjan Ford Jr. receive a 30-day suspension for shooting and killing an unarmed invalid last summer.
That Monday recommendation is 10 days more than the suspension Whitman recommended for officer James Turney, who fatally shot Paul Childs, a developmentally disabled teen, in July 2003.
"I think a 30-day suspension is an arbitrary and capricious number," said Mike Mosco, president of the Denver Police Protective Association "We stand behind Ranjan and we are going to ensure that his due process rights are protected and enforced."
The mother of Lobato's three children, Christina Gomez, said Wednesday she couldn't believe Whitman's suggested discipline.
"This is absurd, unbelievable," said Gomez, reached at her home in Sacramento, Calif. "(Ford) should be fired - off the force completely."
If it were someone other than a law enforcement officer who fired the fatal shot, he would be in jail and not given a slap on the wrist, she said.
"Because (Ford) is a police officer doesn't give them the right to excuse him," she said. "There should be criminal charges against him."
Whitman remained tight-lipped Wednesday about his recommendation to Manager of Safety Al LaCabe, who makes the final decision on police discipline, but three police sources verified that it was 30 days.
News of the recommendation quickly spread throughout the police department. A fax sent out from District Six asked officers to donate to a fund established to help with Ford's expenses if the recommended suspension goes through.
LaCabe has 15 days from the day he received the recommendation in which to make the final decision in the case and write a report.
Lobato, 63, was shot July 11 in a west Denver home as he lay in bed watching television, after Ford apparently mistook a soda can in the man's hand for a weapon.
Ford had climbed into the home through a second-floor window to search for Lobato's nephew in connection with a domestic violence call. Police were unaware that the nephew had fled the home.
Two police supervisors who were at the home when the decision was made to go through the window were given oral reprimands for their role in the incident.
In December, a grand jury decided not to indict Ford in the shooting, and then-District Attorney Bill Ritter declined to file charges.
In January, the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to Ritter's office challenging the fact that the case file would remain closed because a grand jury had reviewed it.
On March 4, the district attorney's office responded, saying the case file would be available to the public following LaCabe's decision.
Mark Silverstein, legal director of ACLU of Colorado, raised concerns that the decision to wait until after the internal affairs investigation is concluded was a shift in policy.
But Deputy District Attorney Chuck Lepley said Wednesday that the Lobato case was being handled differently because of many unique aspects. "This is not a change in policy," he said. "We want the public to know everything they can about a (police-involved shooting) case."
The district attorney's office is in the process of reviewing the case file to see which portions can be opened to public review, Lepley said.
He said the intention is to have the case file ready for review when LaCabe makes his decision.
Ford, a Denver police officer since 2001, is back on the job, but not on patrol duty. He has declined to discuss the case with reporters.
The shooting could lead to federal action. Lobato family attorney Kenneth Padilla said Lobato's relatives may file a federal civil rights lawsuit. The Department of Justice also is weighing whether to intervene.
Lobato's death has been especially difficult on Gomez's three children, Frank Jr., 28, Anthony, 26, and Barbara, 25, whose feeling range from anger to sadness, she said.
Lobato's sister, Esperanza "Hope" Gonzales, of Thornton, was also surprised by the news, saying it's not enough punishment.
Correspondent Marilyn Robinson contributed to this report.
"If it were someone other than a law enforcement officer who fired the fatal shot, he would be in jail and not given a slap on the wrist, she said."
That says it all. Civilians are expendable serfs and cops are above the law.
Law suit coming down the pike..and if the officer is suspended is it an admission of guilt fueling a likely larger settlement?
We need to start keeping tabs on the buyers of aluminum cans.
Keeping tabs -- aluminum cans -- Joe, is this the start of another pun thread? Say it ain't so -- none "pop" into my head just now.
Oh, I dunno about another pun thread, but this should make ya take a double take! :-)
Signed, Joe
<|:-)~~
That's a shame...you're not your usual effervescent self. Don't keep yourself bottled up; just keep thinking, "I CAN!!"
It will cure all that ale's you.
Aw man, I have to go to dinner just when this is getting good. At least I know you'll be on "top" of things with your usual spritely commentary.
First, the Rocky Mountain News is a well know Liberal organization (Communist) and
Second, how do you know it wasn't a "Coke" can? If I'm not mistaken, Coke is still illegal in this country.
For those of you who don't know anything about Denver, this person would be called a "Sheriff" in other parts of the country. Denver, however, is an oasis where both the police chief and sheriff are appointed. There is no top law enforcement official in Denver who is directly accountable to the people.
IMHO, this results in cronyism, a lack of accountability, and cultivates a good-old-boy network. This suspension is but another example of it.
If you're not going to be here, I'll just put the puns on ice for now.
Keeping a positive flow, you can always tap into a barrel of jovial spirits. Just hops for the best and your dreams will eventually ferment into happiness.
:)
A few years back, the cops in one of the southern Maine towns, killed a wheelchair bound fellow that was threatening to kill himself with a knife. All the inquiries said it was justified.
I love it when they all take time off to go to some other officers funeral.
In the foam of life, you're heads above the rest! :-)
I was always taught to be a liter...
Some stouts don't have rathskellers, others have too many. The trick is to barrel your way in, without being too refreshing!
You make a good case...but this is getting almost un-beer-able so I think I may pack it in. I'm sloe-ing down so, bar-ring any objections from you, I'm going to settle up and leave this thread....I think we've pretty well tapped it for all it's worth and I'm feeling pretty drained.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.