Police Union Board Member Resigns, Calls Organization 'Unprofessional'

DENVER (CBS4) – For the second time in less than two months, a member of the Denver Police Protective Association governing board has resigned, in the process slamming the seven member board that represents most of Denver's 1,300 police officers.

"I find the practices in the board room to be rather adversarial and unprofessional," wrote Sgt. Mary Prestel in a resignation letter dated Feb. 20 but disseminated to dozens of DPD members Wednesday night and obtained by CBS4.

"One board member won't even speak to me, for reasons I will never understand. This is an environment that I refuse to work in any longer ... because I often find that my values and ideals clash with the board. I do not feel we are unified," Prestel wrote.

Prestel also cited the time demands of board service as a contributing factor for her resignation. An email and phone call from CBS4 to Prestel had not been returned Thursday afternoon.

In January, another board member, Duane Parton, resigned, saying thousands of dollars in member dues were being spent without his knowledge.

"I cannot stay on a board that makes reckless and secretive decisions," Parton wrote in his resignation letter.

The DPPA calls itself the largest police organization in Colorado. It is the collective bargaining agent for police officers in Denver. On its website the organization says it "fosters the highest standards of professionalism and devotion to duty."

Nick Rogers, Board President of the Denver police union, told CBS4 he was unwilling to discuss the Prestel resignation.

"No comment. As last time," wrote Rogers.