The Denver Police Collective Bargaining Agreement: What You Need to Know
The Denver Police Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is an agreement between the city of Denver and the Denver Police Protective Association (DPPA), which represents over 1,400 officers in the Denver Police Department. The CBA governs the terms and conditions of employment for these officers, including salaries, benefits, and disciplinary procedures.
One of the key provisions of the CBA is the establishment of a disciplinary matrix, which provides a framework for disciplining officers who violate department policies and procedures. The matrix assigns points to specific violations, and officers who accumulate a certain number of points within a specific time period may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Another important provision of the CBA is the requirement for the city to provide officers with a certain level of health and dental insurance, as well as retirement benefits. The CBA also establishes procedures for promotions and transfers within the department, as well as the assignment of overtime shifts.
Critics of the CBA argue that it provides too much protection for officers, making it difficult to hold them accountable for misconduct. They point to cases like the 2015 shooting of Jessica Hernandez, a 17-year-old girl who was killed by two Denver police officers, as evidence that the CBA makes it too difficult to discipline officers who use excessive force.
Proponents of the CBA, on the other hand, argue that it provides necessary protections for officers who put themselves in harm`s way every day to protect the citizens of Denver. They also argue that the disciplinary matrix provides a fair and transparent process for disciplining officers who violate department policies.
Overall, the Denver Police Collective Bargaining Agreement is a complex document that governs the terms and conditions of employment for over 1,400 officers in the Denver Police Department. While it has its critics, many believe that it provides necessary protections for officers while also ensuring accountability for misconduct.