Denver Police Officers v Denver Police
Denver Police Allege Discrimination in Hiring and Promotions
An additional 21 Denver police officers have joined two federal class- action lawsuits against their department and the city. That brings the total to 29 officers who have submitted complaints with the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Denver. The employees are alleging discrimination in areas such as recruitment, hiring, promotions and discipline.
"Many times we have conveyed to our political and community leaders the abuses minorities experience concerning the historical pattern and practice of discrimination within the Denver Police Department," said Sgt. Leonard Mares, vice president of the Denver chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association. "This is the norm with the Denver Police Department against Hispanics, African-Americans, females and other protected groups." Since eight Latino officers first announced their complaints in March, the group says it has gathered "overwhelming documents and evidence" to support them.
The 29 officers who are now involved in the class-action complaints comprise Hispanics, blacks, whites, gays and disabled officers, as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act, Mares said.
The group vows to go forward with a lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached with the city or police department, he said.
"It is very important to note that the actions we are taking are not about financial gains," Mares said. "But understand that because of the pain, suffering and egregious conduct by the Denver Police Department, we will be asking for monetary damages."
The lawsuit seeks to include Hispanics, blacks, whites, gays and disabled officers who have experienced discrimination in areas of recruitment, hiring, promotions and discipline.
