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Denver Eyes Stiffer Penalties For Problem Deputies

DENVER (AP) — Public safety officials want to toughen the punishment for Denver Sheriff Department deputies who use excessive force against inmates.

A task force studying how to reform the troubled sheriff's department this week released a list of 32 recommended changes to the way deputies are disciplined. They include steeper penalties for deputies who lie, abandon their posts and intentionally hurt inmates. The group of officials and community members says it also wants to improve the quality and speed of investigations into deputy misconduct.

The proposals come as the department tries to make sweeping changes after a series of excessive force and misconduct cases.

Mike Violette, executive director of the state's Fraternal Order of Police, which represents most of the deputies, says the union is still studying the proposed changes.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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