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Meetings Seek Input On Denver Sheriff Reforms

DENVER (CBS4/AP) — Denver sheriff's deputies who use excessive force should be punished, residents told public safety officials Saturday during the first of four community meetings to discuss reforms to the troubled department.

More than 100 people attended Saturday's metting

The meetings come as the sheriff's department tries to make sweeping changes after a series of high-profile misconduct and excessive force cases, including a jail beating lawsuit settled in July for $3.3 million. Former Sheriff Gary Wilson resigned after the settlement but remains with the department.

Denver Sheriff Gary Wilson
Denver Sheriff Gary Wilson (credit: denvergov.org)

Officials say they want the public to weigh in on department policies, discipline, training, staff well-being and what characteristics they would like in a new sheriff.

Several residents said discipline is too slow and light for deputies who abuse inmates. Others expressed concern about mental health treatment for inmates, and one former city employee suggested deputies be trained in social service skills so they can help rehabilitate those they guard.

Interim Sheriff Elias Diggins said he would do more for mentally ill inmates if money and resources permit.

"There has to be a way for the 95, 98 percent of people to stand up when they see these infractions and do something about it," a woman at the meeting said.

O'Malley says city and county leaders, are listening.

"We really want the public's input as we move forward in these steps to reform our department," said Stephanie O'Malley, Executive Director of the Department of Safety. "We recognize the problem in the City and County of Denver, but the challenge is, what do you do in response?"

DENVER SHERIFF
An image from Saturday's meeting (credit: CBS)

Long-time Denver citizen Robert Giron says this type of input is crucial.

"The mayor did have the gumption to bring this issue to the community and I applaud him for that," Giron said. "Any time we as a City and County of Denver pay out $3.25 million it's time for the mayor to come to us and explain why."

A Denver Police Department bomb squad truck, motorcycles and squad cars were stationed outside the high school where the meeting was held, which some residents criticized as an unnecessary show of force at a meeting aimed to address excessive force complaints. Mayor Michael Hancock said the equipment was on hand as part of a public relations effort associated with a separate meeting at the high school.

LINK: Meeting Times And Locations

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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