More Grand Junction police in trouble over allegations involving homeless - The Denver Post

More Grand Junction police in trouble over allegations involving homeless - The Denver Post

GRAND JUNCTION — Three officers have been fired, one has resigned and another remains on paid leave as an investigation of police officers mistreating the homeless wraps up in Grand Junction.

Grand Junction Police Chief John Camper said he does not expect any more firings in the 110-officer department after some officers slashed tents and bicycle tires belonging to the homeless, and in separate incidents, sprayed sleeping bags and rooms at abandoned buildings with pepper spray.

The ongoing investigation of these incidents began in May when an advocacy group for the homeless reported that officers went into a camp near downtown and damaged property left there by homeless people. Officers Justin Roberts, Phillip Van Why and Joseph Mulcahy were fired for causing the damage.

During interviews, the three fired officers gave information about other officers using pepper spray to deter the homeless from gathering at certain places. That resulted in the resignation of the unnamed officer.