Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Friday, January 14, 2011

Lawsuit alleges unjustified cop beating, coverup - The Denver Post

Lawsuit alleges unjustified cop beating, coverup - The Denver Post

Denver police waited months to open a full investigation into a claim that officers — including one involved in another excessive-force case — beat a man senseless during a routine traffic stop.

The department's Internal Affairs Bureau originally reviewed the case but refused to begin a formal investigation into Alexander Landau's claim that he was beaten on Jan. 19, 2009, according to a source familiar with the case.

The bureau finally launched the investigation when new information surfaced, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Thursday. He declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing probe.

Landau has now sued the three officers in U.S. District Court in Denver, saying they tried

to cover up the unwarranted attack. The 37-page lawsuit claims Internal Affairs routinely ignores serious complaints of "race-based or other violent retaliation and fabrication of evidence by the police force."

Among the officers is Cpl. Randy Murr, who also is the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation in the videotaped beating of Michael DeHerrera in Lower Downtown in April 2009, almost three months after Landau's arrest.

Neither case resolved

Though the second anniversaries of both incidents are approaching, neither has yet been resolved by Denver police.

Also named in Landau's suit are officers Ricky Nixon and Tiffany Middleton, Police Chief Gerry Whitman and the city and county of Denver.


Read more: Lawsuit alleges unjustified cop beating, coverup - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17092161#ixzz1B3Wdgwyu
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