Boulder Deputies Suspended Over Ecstasy Case
Officers Failed To Act Properly At Scene, Sheriff Says
Two Boulder County Sheriff's deputies who responded
to an initial report of a drug overdose at the Superior
home of Brittney Chambers are under investigation for
their handling of the case, the Boulder Daily Camera reported Wednesday.
Deputy Kirk Watson is on administrative leave and
faces possible termination for his handling of this and
other cases. Officer Kenneth Batka confirmed Tuesday
night that he was placed on administrative leave for two
days but has returned to his duties. He declined further
comment, the Camera said.
Boulder County Sheriff George Epp declined to confirm
the deputies' names but confirmed that one of them could
lose his job. He told the newspaper that both officers have been with the
department for less than two years.
According to arrest warrant affidavits, Watson and
Batka were the first deputies to arrive at 1907 Reliance
Circle on Jan. 28, where Chambers (pictured, left) was celebrating her
16th birthday.
While the officers saw to it that Chambers was taken to
the hospital when they arrived at the home shortly after
1 a.m., eight other teens who are thought to have taken
the drug ecstasy were not taken to the hospital for
routine observation until about 6 a.m., when a sergeant
returned to the home, according to the Camera.
In addition to the tablets of suspected ecstasy, a
search turned up bottles of liquor and a bag of unknown
white powder.
Part of the investigation will focus on why Watson and
Batka did not initially call the parents of the other
teens
and request more help at the scene.
"We're looking at whether or not the way they handled
it met our expectations," Epp said. He expects to see
the outcome of the investigation by the end of the
week.
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According to arrest warrant affidavits, Watson and
Batka were the first deputies to arrive at 1907 Reliance
Circle on Jan. 28, where Chambers (pictured, left) was celebrating her
16th birthday.
While the officers saw to it that Chambers was taken to
the hospital when they arrived at the home shortly after
1 a.m., eight other teens who are thought to have taken
the drug ecstasy were not taken to the hospital for
routine observation until about 6 a.m., when a sergeant
returned to the home, according to the Camera.
In addition to the tablets of suspected ecstasy, a
search turned up bottles of liquor and a bag of unknown
white powder.
Part of the investigation will focus on why Watson and
Batka did not initially call the parents of the other
teens
and request more help at the scene.
"We're looking at whether or not the way they handled
it met our expectations," Epp said. He expects to see
the outcome of the investigation by the end of the
week.
- February 05, 2001: Ecstasy Suspects Due In Court This Week
- February 04, 2001: Ecstasy Suspects Post Bond, Victim's Family Plans Memorial
- February 03, 2001: Girl In Ecstasy-Induced Coma Dies
- February 01, 2001: Arrests Are Near In Ecstasy Sale
- January 31, 2001: Girl Remains In Coma As Authorities Issue Ecstasy Warning
- January 29, 2001: Girl In Critical Condition After Consuming 'Ecstasy' Drug
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
