A few weeks ago, New York City police officers made a low-level traffic stop. A van’s dark tinted windows was the reason for the stop. During that stop, an alleged terrorist with ISIS was reported to have had in the van multiple weapons that could have been used in a terrorist attack.
In Denver that kind of low-level traffic stop is not allowed by the Denver Police Department, and if an officer conducts a low-level traffic stop, it could result in discipline — from an oral reprimand to suspension!
The new directive as of June 28 is yet to be released to DPD officers. There is no question the prohibition of low-level traffic stops will endanger the citizens of our city and metro area.
How can this be in a city that has so high a percentage of illegal immigrants? Are terrorists aware that in Denver, a potential terrorist can be driving in our city without fear of being stopped for a low-level traffic stop?
What is even more concerning is that our mayor, manager of safety, and chief of police have authorized this insane police practice! How can we micromanage an experienced police officer to the point they have to make sure they follow the ops manual step by step?
The DPD Operational Manual even dictates every possible step prior to the traffic stop — outing every step and procedure out of woke fear that police may be making a “racist” traffic stop! Police-defunding City Council members have intimidated police managers to the point where police are now told how to make a stop!
The headline in the New York Post about the apprehension of a possible ISIS terrorist is one you may never see in Denver with this ops manual directive hogtying our police and forcing them to look the other way.
The Post reporter pointed out that a “gut reaction” by the police officer had prompted him to pull over the van with darkened windows.
In Denver, unless you follow the step-by-step procedure for a low-level traffic stop, no “gut reaction” by a seasoned and experienced police officer is allowed unless you can “articulate” it was not based on race or any other woke consideration!
The ops manual states: “Low-level traffic stops (minor traffic infractions that do not pose an immediate threat to public safety) will not be conducted unless officers are acting upon articulable information in addition to the traffic violation, which may or may not amount to reasonable suspicion ... “
In other words, unless you can satisfactorily explain to your police supervisor why you made a low-level traffic stop, you will be disciplined. Starting with a verbal reprimand and then a written one and up to this: “Purposeful, flagrant, or repeated violations will result in more severe disciplinary action.
At any time during review, if deemed necessary, violations can be removed from the scheduled discipline above and transitioned to a formal investigation governed by the discipline matrix.” In other words, Internal Affairs will open an investigation into why you have made low-level traffic stops!
It’s insanity at the highest level. Soon we will instruct police officers how they should walk, talk, or if they can chew gum while on duty! Stop it!
This woke policy will ensure that criminals and bad guys will get away with breaking laws the rest of us all follow.
Do you renew your license tag? Do you follow the speed limit? Do you have unlawful tinted dark windows? Don’t worry anymore; DPD by orders from above will no longer pull you over.
Our streets — which are extremely dangerous as it is with traffic fatalities reaching record numbers, especially to pedestrians who walk our streets — are in greater danger today.
While FBI and other agencies warn us we are facing extremely high danger from possible terrorist attacks, Denver Police managers along with the mayor and City Council apparently do not remember 911.
What a shame!
Rev. Fidel “Butch” Montoya served as Denver’s public safety director 1994-2000 and as deputy mayor 1996-2000 during the administration of Mayor Wellington Webb. He now is a pastor and executive director of the para-church organization, National Latino Faith Initiative, whose mission is to help faith leaders confront and resolve issues and problems in a rapidly changing society.
--Rev. Fidel “Butch” Montoya served as Denver’s public safety director 1994-2000 and as deputy mayor 1996-2000 during the administration of Mayor Wellington Webb. He now is a pastor and executive director of the para-church organization, National Latino Faith Initiative, whose mission is to help faith leaders confront and resolve issues and problems in a rapidly changing society.
Comments
2024-08-21T18:02-0500 | Comment by: Harry
Denver is quickly becoming a sewer, and although I live in Colorado Springs, I won't venture to this cesspool of filth for any reason ! I used to enjoy an occasional drive to the big city up I-25. No more ! They've become their own third world country !!