Federal judge halts Denver police from using chemicals or projectiles on peaceful protesters

In the temporary restraining order, the judge writes, “The Denver Police Department has failed in its duty to police its own.”

Officers covered a crowd surrounding Denver Police District Six's headquarters with tear gas on the third day of protests in reaction to the killing of George Floyd. May 30, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Officers covered a crowd surrounding Denver Police District Six's headquarters with tear gas on the third day of protests in reaction to the killing of George Floyd. May 30, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

A federal judge late Friday issued a temporary restraining order against the Denver Police Department, restricting police from using projectiles and chemical agents against peaceful protesters. A group of protesters had sued the department, alleging DPD’s actions violated their First Amendment rights.

Judge R. Brooke Jackson said that although police officers often have a “thankless” job, he found some of the police behaviors in recent days during protests surrounding the killing of George Floyd “disgusting.”

Read more of the story and the order itself on Denverite. 

 

Allison Sherry is reporter for CPR News covering immigration and criminal justice. Allison joined Colorado Public Radio after reporting in Washington D.C. for the Denver Post and Minneapolis Star Tribune.