Rogue cops still licensed to carry a badge despite government reforms

By Susan Greene, Colorado News Collaborative and Andrew Fraieli, The Sentinel in Aurora

The former police chief in New Castle, while drunk, pressed an AK-style weapon into his neighbor’s chest and threatened to “muzzle thump” him.

A former Kiowa County sheriff’s deputy with a pattern of excessive force killed an unarmed man in a shooting for which he is now serving three years for attempted manslaughter.

And a former Denver police officer who bragged to coworkers that he shot a carjacking suspect once in the head to kill him, then at least 16 times more to see his “face fall apart,” allegedly spent months trumpeting his second on-duty killing and saying he was eager for a third.

Despite documented records of having abused their power, these officers remain certified by Colorado’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board, the state agency that regulates police. In the eyes of the law, all three also are eligible to keep working in law enforcement.

Such is the state of police accountability in Colorado, where rogue officers have gone undisciplined and unexposed despite lawmakers’ and regulators’ pledges to crack down on misconduct and make disciplinary actions transparent.

Colorado’s legislature made national headlines in the weeks after George Floyd’s 2020 murder by passing a sweeping law aimed at improving police integrity. Among several ambitious reforms was an order that POST make public data that shines light on police discipline.

Over the past ten months, Rocky Mountain Public Media, The Sentinel in Aurora, 9News and Colorado Public Radio teamed up with the Colorado News Collaborative (COLab) to review that never-before-seen data, request and comb through public documents detailing disciplinary actions POST made public in 2022, and assess how officer misconduct is handled in our state. The result is “Undisciplined,” a collaborative investigation that launches today with a story questioning whether rogue cops are being red-flagged and weeded out, as lawmakers intended.

The short answer is no.

Shane Madrigal, the former Denver police officer who bragged about disfiguring a criminal suspect, was found to have a long pattern of what his supervisors deemed racist, homophobic and “grossly inappropriate” comments about killing people while he was on duty. Yet he appears to have an unblemished disciplinary record in POST’s database because Denver forgot to report that he resigned while under investigation. Although POST relies on local departments to report their own officers’ misconduct, it has not used its power to sanction those like Denver that fail to do so.

“What kind of system allows the certification of an officer who takes pleasure in riddling people with extra bullets?” asks the mother of the carjacking suspect whose fatal shooting Madrigal’s fellow officers say he gloated over. “That’s not police discipline. It’s a free pass. And it’s disgusting.”

Our investigation shines light on several other officers whose POST certification is intact but whose fitness for duty is debatable. It identifies rogue cops who have continued breaking laws and policies as they’ve been able to bounce from police job to police job. It exposes glitches, delays and inaccuracies in POST’s data, and casts doubts on its ability to serve as a reliable resource for police departments checking the backgrounds of potential hires. And it questions POST’s practice of releasing information only about misconduct cases from 2022 forward – omitting, for example, the three Aurora officers indicted for the killing of Elijah McClain.

That decision by Attorney General Phil Weiser, POST’s chairman, and his office to limit the disciplinary actions visible to the public has effectively shielded the identities of most officers with proven records of misconduct. It also raises questions about whether the system of police discipline lawmakers have authorized and POST has delivered is keeping Coloradans safe from bad cops..

Editor’s note: The full story is available online by visiting www.denverurbanspectrum.com

President Saliman Op-ed

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Additionally, many students qualify for federal, state and institutional aid, thereby significantly reducing the cost of college. At CU, we’ve doubled our investment in grants and scholarships over the past decade, and, on average, we’ve increased institutional aid 8.7 percent per year. Last year alone, CU awarded nearly $240 million in grants and scholarships.

We also have programs in place aimed specifically at Colorado high school graduates, including our Colorado Promise program, which provides free tuition and fees for eligible Colorado resident students with the greatest financial need. CU Boulder’s recent expansion of the CU Promise has doubled the number of state resident students with significant financial need who are eligible for free tuition and fees.

CU is a longstanding and proud supporter of our veteran and active-duty military students and their families on their educational journeys. As a further demonstration of this support, UCCS, our campus in Colorado Springs, began offering a new Active-Duty Tuition Assistance Grant to active-duty undergraduate students cur- rently using military tuition assistance. By bridging the gap between military tuition assistance and UCCS tuition, we’re putting a CU education within reach for these students.

The CU community is enriched by the unique experiences, perspectives and contributions of every single one of our community members, nearly all of whom, at some point, look for a community or space where they fit in.

So, let me address the issue of belonging for every Colorado student who wants a four-year degree as a foundation for their future: You DO belong at CU, and we are here to help you achieve your dream!.

Honoring Women Veterans Through Service

Denver Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Hosts Food and Clothing Drive

As part of The Links, Incorporated National Impact Day of Service, taking place on Veteran’s Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, the Denver Chapter has organized a food and clothing drive to benefit Volunteers of America’s Women’s Veterans Program. The drive will take place at the Bill Daniels Veterans Services Center located at 1247 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204, and donations will be taken from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Through this program, the Volunteers of America (VOA) works with women Veterans and their children with supportive housing, case management, and resources with the goal of helping each client secure a permanent and sustainable housing situation for up to 24 months. During their time in the program, participants are housed at the VOA Family Motel or Clermont Commons, three beautiful five-bedroom transitional homes in Denver for women Veterans and their children.

During the drive, members of the Links will be accepting donations of dry and non-perishable food items as well as tissues, face masks and hand sanitizers. The greatest need is for women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, especially winter clothes, including shirts, pants, hats, scarves, coats, blankets and more. Some of the items may be gently used, but donations of socks and underwear must be new.

For more information about the Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and the donation drive, visit denverlinksinc.org or email lindasue222@comcast.net

About The Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

Established in 1952, the Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is part of an international network of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. .

D-ONE Welcomes New Management for its Energy Efficiency Program

D-ONE’s initiatives in the realm of energy efficiency.

“We are so very excited to add Ms. Herreria-Schultz to the D-ONE team,” says Director Wil Alston. “Her breadth and depth of community combined with her background in media and outreach presented us with an impeccable set of credentials that will go a long way in further evolving this critical program.” to continue this journey in nonprofit. I am ready to step up to the challenges of partnering with local nonprofits to level the playing field of energy equity within Denver’s lowincome and BIPOC communities,” Herreria-Schultz said.

Communications and Political Science from California State University-Fullerton, as well as a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University

The Denver Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships’ Office of Nonprofit Engagement (DONE) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mary HerreriaSchultz, MNM as the new Project Manager for its Energy Efficiency Program. With her extensive experience in nonprofit collaboration and community engagement, HerreriaSchultz is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of

As Program Manager, Herreria-Schultz will lead the department’s energy efficiency program, including oversight and management of: program contractors, the energy efficiency advisory board, the annual Save Green-Be Green Conference, strategic partnerships with Xcel Energy, and she will assist citywide efforts to increase participation in the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

“I am humbled and thankful

Herreria-Schultz comes to DONE as co-chair for the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership. She also volunteers her time with the Colorado Asian Culture Education Network (CACEN) and contributes regularly as the editorial director for Asian Avenue Magazine, a local publication that elevates the voices of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians in Denver and its surrounding suburbs. Other professional associations include: On Havana Business Improvement District and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Herreria-Schultz earned a B.A. in

Editor’s note: Denver’s Office of Nonprofit Engagement (D-ONE), created in January 2004, D-ONE serves as a liaison between the City and County of Denver and the nonprofit sector. D-ONE is committed to increasing the capacity and sustainability of all nonprofits working in and/or serving our Denver community. D-ONE achieves those objectives by coordinating trainings and workshops, targeted programming, improving internal nonprofit-related policies and processes, and by connecting nonprofits with funding and becoming smarter about the facilities they operate out of. To learn more about D-ONE’s programming, visit: denvergov.org/nonprofitengagement.

Denver Education Advocate and Inspirational Leader Recognized with CU Boulder Alumni Award

Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) will recognize senior director of marketing and communications Olivia Omega with the “Alumni Recognition Award” from the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) on Nov. 2.

DSF, a nonprofit organization helping to make college possible for Denver students, is delighted to share this noteworthy accolade, recognizing that Omega embodies the core values of DSF, including access to higher education, equity, and community engagement.

The “Alumni Recognition Award,” one of the university’s longest-standing traditions, is a distinguished accolade presented to CU Boulder alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and service in furthering the university’s mission.

“Olivia is a valuable asset to DSF, consistently advocating for educational equity and encouraging students to achieve their dreams,” says Lorii Rabinowitz, CEO of the Denver Scholarship Foundation. “We are delighted to celebrate her accomplishments, and this award is evidence to her unwavering commitment to our mission of supporting Denver students.”

Omega has inspired hundreds of students by returning to the CU Boulder campus for 15 consecutive years to host marketing, personal branding, NIL (Name, Image and Likeness), and entrepreneurship workshops, in addition to coaching and mentoring through CU partner programs.

As an alum of CU’s Presidents Leadership Class (PLC), one of the oldest collegiate leadership programs in the United States, Olivia plays a crucial role on its Board of Advocates, where she leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee. Her passion for fostering equity is reflected in her daily work, where she collaborates with college and high school students, families, and DSF partners to make the dream of college a reality for countless young people. She tirelessly advocates for inclusion and educational opportunities, particularly for underrepresented and first-generation students.

During her undergraduate time at CU’s Leeds School of Business, Olivia studied marketing and was a Resident Advisor and cheerleader. While at CU’s Leeds School of Business, Omega studied marketing and was a Resident Advisor and cheerleader. She is a member of the Alumni C Club, CU’s Alumni Letterwinners Association, and continues to cheer on the Colorado Buffaloes joining other cheer alumni on the field during homecoming games..

Assistant Dean at the University of Arizona Global Campus awarded Fulbright Specialist Roster Placement

projects designed by host institutions across more than 150 countries worldwide. This inclusion on the Fulbright Specialist Roster represents a remarkable acknowledgment of her contributions to academia and potential to further enrich global educational and cultural collaborations.

“I’m looking forward to collaboration with an African nation to extend our business and technology expertise to the development of their country,” indicates Dr. Ivy. “It builds upon a U.S. to Uganda project we produced in 2016 just ahead of the pandemic,” Dr. Ivy continued.

Dr. Karen Ivy, Assistant Dean of the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at the University of Arizona Global Campus has been honored with placement on the Fulbright Specialist Roster for a distinguished tenure of three years. This recognition has been conferred by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning, underscoring the exceptional expertise and commitment of this outstanding academic leader.

Selected through a rigorous peer review process, Dr. Ivy is now poised to engage with

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Karen Ivy for this remarkable achievement,” said Maja Zelihic, dean of the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at UAGC. “Her placement on the Fulbright Specialist Roster not only reflects exceptional leadership within our institution but also her potential to catalyze transformative initiatives on a global scale.”

Dr. Karen Ivy is based in Denver and is a member of Shorter Community AME Church. Her commitment to global partnership and intercultural understanding will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the Fulbright Specialist Program..

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023 at 8pm