Imagine A Great Election

Michael Hancock
Bottom line:
Among other things, the city needs open communication between the police, sheriff, and fire departments and the community.

On his campaign website:
In the “Issues” section under “Public Safety,” Hancock promises as mayor to:
• change the culture of the city’s three public safety divisions
• restore public confidence through the swift and consistent application of discipline
• identify and implement quality training at every level, with a specific focus on ethics, integrity, and leadership
• create and maintain forums for open communication between the police, sheriff, and fire departments and the community
• create more public-private partnerships to reduce crime, including collaborative efforts with nonprofits
• recruit and hire a skilled and diverse workforce more reflective of Denver’s population
• change leadership
• revamp organizational structures by examining and eliminating wasteful redundancies and layers of bureaucracy within the Manager of Safety’s office
• continue to update and enforce the discipline matrix system to ensure the quick resolution of pending matters and to enhance accountability
• develop collaborative relationships that rebuild bridges between the public and front-line safety employees
• focus on prevention and treatment services that reduce violent crime and recidivism
• support goals set by the Denver Crime Prevention and Control Commission
• strengthen community programs aimed at reducing at-risk activities among kids and youth
• make mental health treatment a high priority
• continue to educate the public about domestic violence
• ensure we have a coordinated system of individual advocates, law enforcement, and victim resources
• continue to advocate for a Family Justice Center so victims of domestic violence can get the comprehensive support and resources they need for themselves and their children in one location
• tighten regulations and bring balance to what has become a chaotic proliferation of highly visible medical-marijuana retail outlets
• assess the impact of dispensaries on neighborhood safety, youth, criminal activity, and Denver’s economy
• improve emergency response times
• continue to support Denver’s involvement in the federal government’s Secure Communities initiative
• ensure the initiative is administered in Denver in a fair and just manner, targets violent criminals, and does not contribute to racial and ethnic profiling
• establish clear protocols so domestic violence victims can go to law enforcement for help without fear of retribution
• call for mandatory training and education for public safety officers to ensure the Secure Communities program is applied impartially and transparently

In his campaign flyer:
Under the heading “Michael’s new ideas for creating a better city together,” Hancock promises as mayor to “restore trust and accountability in our Police Department” and to “create safe, sustainable, and prosperous neighborhoods.”

Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
Said the city must never allow for a breach in the covenant of trust between the public and the police and needs levels of accountability. He added the established discipline matrix should be used properly and questions about individual cases answered quickly.

Issue-related comments:
In an April Denver Daily News profile, Hancock was quoted as saying the city needs a new energy and a new vision for its police department and as mayor he would conduct a national search for a police chief “who respects diversity and broad community input.” He added he would look for a Manager of Safety who is a “neutral citizens-oriented person” who can make tough decisions.

In an April Denver Post Q&A, Hancock was quoted as saying as mayor he “will call for the resignation of all…department heads in transition” as he looks to establish “a more comprehensive approach to public safety.” He clarified he will call for the resignation of all cabinet-level appointees under the mayor, though each will have the opportunity to reapply for his or her current position. He added he will “take a very close look” at the “top-heavy administration” within the police department.

In a November Westword profile, Hancock was quoted as saying expectations “from the mayor down” need to be made very clear and that everyone, the public as well as the police, should be held accountable. He added that the city needs to “hold true” to the discipline matrix and implement it with care.

Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• City Councilman 2003-Present
--President 2006-2008

Chris Romer
Bottom line:
All departments need to work together to provide clear leadership, cut red tape and bureaucracy, and increase transparency.

On his campaign website:
In the “Issues” section under “Public Safety,” Romer promises as mayor to:
• partner with Denver police, fire, and sheriff’s personnel to provide clear leadership
• insist on a leadership change in the Denver Police Department
• make sure Denver attracts smart, fit applicants for whom public safety is a passion
• improve police training to better prepare officers with the skills they need to address culturally sensitive circumstances, prevent abuses of power, and more effectively protect and serve everyone in Denver
• hire more minorities, including from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community, to serve in our police, fire, and sheriff departments, including in leadership positions.
• make sure the Civil Service Commission recruitment and hiring process is culturally sensitive, staffed by diverse employees, and focused on increasing the number of people of color serving in Denver’s public safety departments
• work with the Denver District Attorney to insist on justice, ensure that all communities are treated fairly under the law, and promote public safety by making sure public safety resources are aligned with prosecution priorities
• keep more officers on the streets.
• engage a public dialogue to consider eliminating the Manager of Safety position
• support a swift and fair discipline process that includes the Independent Monitor to ensure transparency for our communities, clarity for our officers, and timeliness for all
• make sure the Independent Monitor has the resources to properly oversee discipline cases
• make sure that future discipline actions are swift, clear, certain, and fair
• work with community leaders to identify areas where public safety needs to be strengthened
• continue to meet with neighborhoods where the relationship between the police department and the community are strained
• look at all models of efficient delivery of emergency services
• work directly with front-line public safety workers to increase efficiency while protecting public safety through smart budgeting and shared responsibility
• avoid layoffs by involving public safety employees in identifying efficiencies during necessary conversations about personnel costs
• reduce crime in Denver by increasing graduation rates
• ensure collaboration between all city departments in order to prioritize student learning time and decrease suspension and expulsion rates
• push DPS to adopt Restorative Justice programs that have been proven to decrease suspensions, expulsions, and student law enforcement involvement
• ensure all city departments, including the sheriff department, find new ways of partnering with DPS
• push public safety officials to engage with Denver’s children in healthy, productive activities like bike repairs at firehouses and using officers, firemen, and sheriffs as role models and mentors
• encourage front-line workers to be proactive community partners
• build on public-private partnerships to expand the availability of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) across the city
• work with the fire department, building managers and community leaders to expand the installation of mandatory carbon monoxide detectors.