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New Denver Safety Manager: Police Discipline Slow

DENVER (AP) - Denver's new safety manager says the current system of police discipline is too slow and cumbersome.

Alex Martinez took over as head of the city agency that provides civilian oversight of Denver's fire, sheriff's and police departments in November. The former State Supreme Court justice became the sixth manager of safety in less than two years, following several high-profile excessive force cases.

Martinez says he wants to speed up disciplinary actions to restore confidence in the community. He says the length of time it takes for discipline makes it appear like police are hiding something or dragging their feet.

His changes include assigning a deputy to follow a case under internal investigation. He says his office will have 15 days to make a decision once the case arrives there.

- By P. Solomon Banda, AP Writer

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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