AURORA, Colorado — The Colorado Attorney General's Office confirmed Tuesday that "for several weeks now, it has been investigating patterns and practices of the Aurora Police Department (APD) that might deprive individuals of their constitutional rights under state or federal law."
This is separate from the probe into Elijah McClain's death, the AG's office said in a statement provided to 9NEWS.
In a statement, APD said it will cooperate with investigators and that it is working to regain the trust of the community.
> Video above: Interview with newly-appointed APD Police Chief Vanessa Wilson.
This is one of multiple investigations into APD's practices and culture following numerous recent high-profile incidents, including McClain's death and a video that showed officers detaining a Black family during a mix-up involving a stolen vehicle, both of which have been the subject of national outrage.
The latest was announced on Tuesday afternoon, when Aurora said it has hired 21CP Solutions, a firm that recently evaluated the South Bend, Indiana Police Department as well as law enforcement at Yale University.
According to the release, 21CP Solutions will analyze:
- APD's leadership structure.
- Current policies and practices with respect to the use of force, discriminatory policing and bias-free policing practices.
- Officer misconduct and accountability.
- Stops, searches and arrests.
- Recruitment, hiring and retention.
- Interaction with vulnerable populations.
- Crisis intervention and interactions with people experiencing behavioral health challenges.
While the city of Aurora is still finalizing its contract with the consulting firm, a spokesperson said the investigation will likely cost between $200,000 and $300,000.
21CP Solutions is headed by Charles H. Ramsey, the former commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department who has also worked in Washington D.C. and Chicago.
A separate Community Police Task Force is also working to review APD’s current operations. This group includes faith leaders, members of the NAACP, educators and other community members.
Aurora City Manager Jim Twombly said the city didn't know about the AG's investigation until Tuesday, and that the myriad of probes into the city's embattled police department all are looking at different facets.
“The fact is we’ve had some issues and we’ve admitted that we’ve done some things wrong and we admit it, and that’s part of the reason why we know we need to take a real strong and broad and deep look at the department and how we do things," he said.
Wilson, a 23-year veteran of APD, was appointed police chief at the beginning of the month. She had served as interim chief since January, and effectively oversaw the department during protests that escalated into clashes between demonstrators as law enforcement.
She has had to fire officers for alcohol-related incidents as well as taking inappropriate photos mocking McClain.
McClain died in August 2019 after going into cardiac arrest following an interaction with APD officers. Medics administered ketamine to sedate him, and police used a now-banned practice called a carotid hold to restrain him.
McClain was reported as a suspicious person, but had not committed a crime and family members said he had been walking to get iced tea shortly before he was detained.
An independent probe of McClain’s death is underway, and his family announced Tuesday that they are filing a federal civil rights lawsuit on his behalf.
During an interview with 9NEWS, Wilson said she was going to work to reform the culture at APD.
“I think I have to be clear with my expectations with the officers. No one's perfect, and they're all human beings, and they're susceptible to the stressers that every individual faces,” she said. “But we're in a time right now when the community is demanding that we do things differently in law enforcement. I think the officers understand that. I can tell you that the majority, the vast majority, of the officers that work for me do it with duty, honor and integrity. Those that don't -- I will slowly deal with that as the incidents arise. We'll do what needs to be done."
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