"People want reform and they're going to get reform," that's what Denver Police Chief Robert White said last week about community input on the department's use of force policy.
That input starts Tuesday night, at the first of three scheduled community meetings focused on feedback and comments.
Denver Police Chief Robert White, and other members of the police department, will hold a forum at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver from 5-8 p.m.
Since the department released its revised policy earlier this month, some community members have come out against the policy and how it was announced.
That policy focuses on de-escalation, and using the amount of force necessary instead of using the amount of force that is legal.
A community meeting was put on by faith leaders last week to show disapproval of how this was handled, specifically the lack of community input.
"We don't know what went into it. We don't know what it's replacing. We don't know who was advising on it," said Lisa Calderon, the Co-Chair for the Colorado Latino Forum at that meeting. "Victims of excessive force were not consulted about it, so we don’t know if it actually responds to their concerns."
Chief White responded by saying he's open to feedback and possibly changes, and committed to the three community meetings before the final policy is released, likely next month.
Community meeting's schedule:
- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jan. 24, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver, 3333 Holly Street.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 28, Elevate Denver Church, 2205 W. 30th Ave.
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 4, Red Shield Community Center, 2915 N. High St.
