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Denver Sheriff's Deputy Fired After Failure To Report Use Of Force

DENVER (CBS4)- A Denver Sheriff's deputy has been fired for his failure to report the use of force he witnessed during an incident between a fellow deputy and an inmate.

In July, the Denver Sheriff's Department placed William Lewis on leave after he was accused of writing an inaccurate report.

That report was related to use of inappropriate force by Deputy Thomas Ford on July 13. The Department of Safety claimed Lewis departed from the truth in three separate instances during his account of the incident.

"This administration will not tolerate deceptive conduct or false reporting," Executive Director of Safety Stephanie O'Malley said. "We expect deputies to follow departmental guiding principles, which require honesty, integrity and accountability in everything a Deputy does and says. As such, I have ordered the termination of Deputy Lewis for his willful and wanton disregard of departmental practices and procedures."

Ford was fired on Sept. 9 after he allegedly punched an inmate who he claimed had been taunting him.

The city states Ford "struck the inmate in the face with a closed fist at a time when he posed no credible threat and subsequently kicked the inmate while he was on the ground." That incident was also captured on security video.

"(Ford's) conduct was found to violate the Department's use of force policy in several respects," city officials wrote.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey previously announced they would not charge Ford because a jury would likely find the use of force appropriate.

The most recent firings come as the Denver Sheriff's Department is in the midst of making reforms after these and other misconduct cases.

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