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Independent police monitor summarizes May reviews; panel votes on three case findings
Summary
Independent Police Monitor Sherry presented case summaries, classification statistics and open-case counts; the panel voted on three case findings in closed session and assigned reviewers to upcoming cases.
Independent Police Monitor Sherry presented the office’s May activity and reviewed several completed investigations at the Boulder Police Oversight Panel meeting. Sherry then led a closed-session case review and the panel took public votes on three cases when it returned to open session.
Sherry reported that there were "0 case file reviews completed in May." She also summarized multiple investigations completed since May and the monitor’s recommendations and the department responses. Case summaries Sherry read into the record included:
- MI2025-006: A multiagency SWAT incident. The monitor recommended sustaining an allegation against "Officer 1" for a Rule 10 (security of police information) violation for releasing confidential law enforcement information. The department agreed with the recommendation and imposed a 5-year letter of reprimand.
- MI2025-010: Officers responded to an assault call; the monitor recommended Rule 1 (compliance with values, rules and general orders) allegations be "unfounded" under general order 120 and the department agreed. A documentation allegation was also recommended unfounded and agreed.
- MI2025-012: Response to a reported stalking incident at a school; the monitor recommended multiple allegations be unfounded under general order 120 and the department agreed.
- MI2025-013: Officers responded to a report of public harassment; the monitor identified tactical concerns and recommended the use-of-force allegation be exonerated; the department agreed and the officer received coaching.
- MI2025-014: Investigation involving multiple historical complaints; the monitor recommended unfounded findings for Rule 5 allegations and the department agreed.
- MI2025-015: A dispute initially handled with conflict facilitation (mediation) that was administratively closed per the monitor's recommendation; the department agreed.
- MI2025-016: Arrest following a domestic incident that included animal care logistics; the monitor recommended unfounded findings for alleged bias and improper detention and the department agreed.
Sherry gave monthly statistics: she classified seven complaints in May (three misconduct), observed or participated in six interviews, deemed two cases thorough and complete, and reported BPD closed seven cases that month. As of June 5 the monitor said 36 cases remained open: 23 classified, two pending monitor classification, and 11 in PSU preliminary investigation.
Public comment included a question about Boulder’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Anna asked where to direct questions about whether "Boulder is collaborating with ICE." Curtis and other panel members answered: an officer said the department will follow a judge-signed warrant but otherwise limits participation; Sylvia pointed listeners to the Boulder District Attorney’s office for up-to-date policy statements; Sherry noted that Chief Radford had said people could call BPD if they were concerned about ICE encounters and that BPD offered to respond as a calming presence and to activate body-worn cameras when appropriate.
After a closed session, the panel returned and conducted roll-call votes on three cases. The panel recorded the following actions and outcomes:
Votes at a glance
- MI2025-023 (allegations: Rule 6 use of force; Rule 1 compliance; general order 101/unbiased policing for different officers): Outcome — approved (majority yes). Vote record (captured from roll call): Kristen — yes; Jason — no; Curtis — yes; Chico — yes; Bill — no; Allen — no; Soledad — yes; Milan — yes; Lizzie Friend — yes; Donnie — absent. The panel assigned Kristen, Chico and Bill as reviewers for this case.
- MI2025-024 (allegation: Rule 6 use of force): Outcome — approved (majority yes). Vote record: Kristen — yes; Jason — yes; Curtis — yes; Chico — yes; Bill — yes; Allen — yes; AB — yes; Soledad — yes; Milan — yes; Lizzie Friend — yes. The panel assigned reviewers (Curtis, Soledad, Milan and Lizzie) for this case.
- MI2025-025 (allegation: Rule 4 respect for others): Outcome — not approved (majority no). Vote record: Kristen — no; Jason — no; Curtis — no; Chico — no; Bill — no; Allen — no; AB — no; Soledad — no; Milan — no; Lizzie Friend — no.
Panel members also assigned volunteers to review other pending cases scheduled for future meetings.
The monitor listed several follow-up items and upcoming appearances the monitor attended in May, including community events and advisory committee meetings.
