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Denver Police Union Calls 'Emergency Meeting' Over Discipline

Written by Brian Maass
DENVER (CBS4)- CBS4 has learned that the Denver Police Protective Association, the union representing most Denver Police Officers, has scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday to discuss recent disciplinary moves, including the recommended firing of Officer Devin Sparks, who was caught on videotape manhandling Michael DeHerrera.

The meeting is set for noon Monday, according to a flyer distributed to officers by the PPA today. It calls for as many PPA members as possible to show up.

"Our members want us to do something," said Nick Rogers, a PPA board member, when contacted Wednesday by CBS4 about the Monday event.

Rogers said the proposed firing of Sparks would be addressed, but he was hazy about other topics.

Asked if PPA members were considering a no confidence vote on Police Chief Gerry Whitman, Rogers said he did not know if that would be on the agenda. Several Denver Officers told CBS4 that a no confidence vote was being discussed internally among Denver police.

CBS4 broke the story earlier this week that Whitman's recommended the termination of Officer Sparks for his actions in the Lodo incident.

In a controversial video captured by a city HALO camera, Sparks is seen throwing Michael DeHerrera to the ground while the man talked on a cell phone.

Michael DeHerrera
Michael DeHerrera (credit: Denver Police Department)

The department initially recommended that Sparks be suspended for three days. But after the videotape was released and a public outcry followed, the case was reopened and Whitman recommended termination. A Deputy Chief initially recommended the three day suspension.

Denver's Manager of Safety will make the ultimate decision on Sparks' fate. That determination is due within 15 days.

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