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Denver Sheriff Announces Use Of Force Policy Changes

DENVER (CBS4)- Denver Sheriff Patrick Firman announced the details of a new use of force policy for the department that include retraining of deputies.

On Thursday morning, Firman along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Executive Director of Safety Stephanie Y. O'Malley, announced the changes at a news conference.

Marvin Booker
Images from the security video showing Marvin Booker's death (credit: CBS)

Videos of deputies involved in altercations with inmates have led to a huge shakeup in the Denver Sheriff Department. Although no criminal charges were filed, the payouts resulted in $6 million in the death of street preacher Marvin Booker, $3.25 million for Jamal Hunter who was beaten in his cell, along with other cases.

First, an outside review was conducted and then major recommendations were made. After than a new sheriff was brought in and now a major change with regard to the use of force.

DENVER SHERIFF REFORM
Denver Sheriff Patrick Firman (credit: CBS)

Hancock said the new policy includes a new approach to confrontations with prisoners.

"Under the new policy, deputies now will be required to first consider if force can be avoided by using alternative tactics and de-escalation techniques, when time and circumstances permit," said Hancock. "And when use of force must be used, deputies will be required to use the least amount of force necessary to safely and legitimately diffuse the situation."

The main thrust of the new policy is the de-escalation section. It advises that force should not be used in response to swearing or insults; body weight should be partially ceased as a restraint once an inmate is subdued; use of reasonable and necessary force during imminent threats.

When CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger asked Firman if the new policy could have saved lives in previous cases, he replied, "We do not want to apply this policy to previous situations, we want to look forward."

O'Malley touted the new policy as a national example, "The result of hundreds of hours of work with this groundbreaking use of force policy will serve as a model around the country."

DENVER SHERIFF REFORM   (1)
(credit: CBS)

Darrold Killmer, an attorney whose firm represented the families of two people who died at the jail, called the policy the same old thing just rearranged and shined up. He said their problem hasn't been the policies so much as those policies being followed by the deputies.

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