Clear Creek County deputies needlessly rushed, failed to de-escalate in shooting of Boulder man who
called for help, experts say
Sheriff’s Office lists de-escalation techniques — many of which were not followed in the arrest of Christian Glass
(snip)
The first Clear Creek County sheriff’s deputies on scene acted with needless aggression, the group failed to pursue alternative communication options when they couldn’t get Glass to step out of his car, and they created a violent encounter when they broke one of the car’s windows while failing to maintain a safe distance, they said.
“He’s not breaking the law — he’s sitting in his car,” said Shamus Smith, a former New York City police officer and trainer who now studies policing at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “Sit and wait and make it turn into a waiting game.”
Attorneys for Glass’ parents last week released body camera footage of the killing early June 11 of Glass, which prompted questions from local and state authorities. The Clear Creek County Board of Commissioners in a statement said “the circumstances around his death are deeply troubling.”
Gov. Jared Polis spoke with Glass’ parents and in a statement called for the expansion of teams that pair officers with mental health professionals. There’s no such program in Clear Creek County.
“This tragedy should never have happened,” Polis said in the statement.
https://www.denverpost.com/2022/09/20/christian-glass-clear-creek-county-tactics/
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