Denver Development News

Denver City Council Hears Office of Independent Monitor's 2025 Annual Report, Citing Transparency and Accountability Concerns

The Health and Safety Committee meeting for Denver City Council featured a presentation of the Office of the Independent Monitor's (OIM) 2025 annual report. The report detailed the OIM's activities, including complaint investigations, policy reviews, and community outreach, while highlighting challenges such as budget cuts and significant staff turnover. A major concern raised was a trend of directives minimizing officer accountability and transparency, potentially increasing city liability. The report also detailed trends in civilian complaints against police and sheriff's deputies, use-of-force incidents, and in-custody deaths. The committee engaged in discussions regarding the timeliness of disciplinary processes, the 'duty to obey department rules' category, and the need for stronger language in ordinances to ensure collaboration and oversight.