Devin Sparks, Randy Murr, Denver Police Fired For Vicious Beating, Given Their Jobs Back; Hancock Wants Appeal (VIDEO, UPDATE)

Two Denver Police officers -- Devin Sparks and Randy Murr -- who were fired back in March over a vicious 2009 beating of 24-year-old Michael DeHerrera outside of a LoDo club that was caught on video have just gotten their jobs back, according to CBSDenver.

UPDATE:

The Denver Post reports that the city will appeal the decision to reinstate both Denver police officers Devin Sparks and Randy Murr. City Attorney Doug Friednash will also ask for a stay on the reinstatement of both officers until the Denver Civil Service Commission hears the appeal -- meaning both Sparks and Murr could not return to work while the appeal is pending.

Mayor Hancock is also calling for an appeal, 9News reports, saying:

According to the city attorneys that I've consulted with, the decision yesterday was a very narrow one. And one that leads us to believe that we need to make the effort to vigorously defend the original decision by Charlie Garcia.

EARLIER:

Fox31 reports that Charles Garcia, Denver’s former manager of safety, fired the two officers in 2009 when they both lied about the beating in their police reports.

But in a case filled with controversy, a panel of civil service officers just added more by reversing Garcia’s decision Tuesday on grounds that the two officers had already been punished by Garcia’s predecessor Ron Perea and could not be punished again as the time limits for appeals had already passed, according to 9News.

DeHerrera, expressing his disappointment in the reinstatement of the two officers, said to 9News:

It was finally clear what was right and what was wrong and everybody agreed that they were wrong. So now to put that back up into the air is just ridiculous.

On the night of April 4, 2009, DeHerrera and his friend Shawn Johnson, were kicked out of a LoDo bar, The Denver Post reported. As Johnson was being arrested, lying in the street, DeHerrera was talking on his phone. Then, apparently without provocation, Officer Sparks grabbed DeHerrera and repeatedly struck him with a piece of metal wrapped in leather. However, the police report reflected an entirely different story -- which Police Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal called “pure fiction” -- one where Sparks claimed DeHerrera tried to attack Sparks so the level of force used was seemingly justified.

7News spoke with Nick Rogers, President of the police officers union said that the firings were based on “political outcry,” suggesting that the two officers never deserved to be fired as a form of punishment. Rogers went on to say that the two officers are “as happy as a person can be” with the reinstatement decision.

Comments

[margiesmemories]

03:54 PM on 09/14/2011

Hey people of Denver time to do something. This is where you ALL get involved. Kinda looks like the Mafia is in town.

[ToCensorIsAnEpicFail]

10:54 AM on 09/10/2011

These police are trash. TRASH!

There is video tape evidence that clearly shows these "police officers" beating Innocent US citizens. WHAT IS THE QUESTION HERE? They are just thug, idiots. There is no question that these men should not be officers, they shouldn't even be crossing guards. These are men that feel that they are above the law.

The police are a corrupt organization. They work closely with the courts and lawyers and are insulated from the legal system. They walk among us, armed, with permission to "use their best judgement" but their best judgement often doesn't look very good to me.

In Denver, car stolen, stereo stolen, beat up, robbed at gunpoint? There's nothing the police will do for you. Nothing.

The police are a tool of the judicial system, and that's all they can do, draw you into the legal system. Which is, also, corrupt. And expensive.

I tell everyone - never call the police. If you're dying, call the fire department.

[Steven Horneffer]

04:48 PM on 09/09/2011

Never mind firing; what about putting them in jail/prison for aggravated assault/battery /

[sangerjaime]

01:40 AM on 09/09/2011

Most police jurisdictions still only require a high school diploma or GED. The employer is not looking for a super intelligent officer, he may see through their shenanigans. They are looking for men and women who march to the beat of the drummer and strike at the beat of the big drumstick they carry!!

[mollymac]

08:24 PM on 09/08/2011

What is up with Denver? Pretty city but creepy in many ways. Aren't they the pitbull murder capital of the world?

[d23ratm]

09:40 PM on 09/08/2011

You should have seen how slow they were to react during the Columbine massacre, Denver cops along with other jurisdiction cops were hiding behind their armored carrier while the Columbine teacher was bleeding to death. Beat up a citizen with a phone, but hide like cowards when the going is hot and heavy, BULLIES WITH BADGES.

NWA had it right in their classic anthem F#*K the Police

[d23ratm]

09:44 PM on 09/08/2011

Forgot to mention ,Denver is the only jurisdiction in the Metro area that only requires a High School Diploma at least the other departments try to recruit individuals with some college background or a college degree and it shows in the VERY LOW PERCENTAGE of lawsuits those officers create for their departments.

[d23ratm]

03:49 PM on 09/08/2011

Crack and herion dealers and stolen goods sellers deal their poison and ply their wares 27/7 in downtown Denver, yet I have never seen or heard of them being beat up by DPD officers, hey guys put down the donuts and free coffee and go arrest some real criminals.

[cydRN]

02:44 PM on 09/08/2011

The most appalling thig in this whole sordid mess is the quote from the Police Union head, "They did nothing wrong". They beat a young man doing nothing but talking on his cell phone. They lied about it. the officers involved ought to be fired. Period. What on earth does it take for a police officer to get fired?! I support our police 100%, the vast majority of them are good men and women doing a difficult and dangerous job. The bad apples have got to be rooted out of this department. I think and investigation by the Justice Dept is called for.

[No Longer Amused 25]

09:46 AM on 09/08/2011

To Denver cops: If you are laying in the street, dying from a gunshot or getting hit by a brick, or a car, do not count on me to call 911 for you. I guarantee you I will walk away. As far as I am concerned you can call Devin Sparks and Randy Murr for help.

[d23ratm]

09:47 PM on 09/08/2011

Call 911 , are you crazy, they would see you talking on your cell phone and want to beat you, walk away , leave 'em to their own devices.

[bbass999]

05:01 AM on 09/08/2011

I'm thinking they just did what their mama's should of done a long time ago, than maybe these so called young adults wouldn't be out at all hours of the night creating problems. A Police Officer tells you to do something, listen and do it. Other wise you will just become part of the problem. Now let's go on to something worse... men of God molesting young boys.

[No Longer Amused 25]

09:40 AM on 09/08/2011

I hope, I wish with all my being, that some Denver cop beats he crap out of you or your son some day soon.

[MoeB]

01:25 PM on 09/09/2011

The guy was talking on his cell phone and was attacked, unprovoked according to reports, by the officers. Then the officers LIED about it...but for some reason you're siding with the cops?

Talk about twisted logic.

[pullmafingerquik]

04:38 AM on 09/08/2011

Police forces are alot like the Free masons of old. They act like a secretive society that operates within their own boudaries and their own version of how things should be. When one of their own is victimized look at the reaction and how quick to mete out justice they are. yet they are quick to break laws daily themselves and do not suffer nor expect consequences. The system need s to be over hauled in all cities and states across the country,not to mention the Justice system itself

[ninja108]

04:22 AM on 09/08/2011

Here we go again with this police corruption. These two officers were caught on tape deliberately
beating the victim with no cause. Now their being reinstated to go back to the police force with no retribution. It is something about police officers in the USA when they get caught up in brutality, profiling or murder they get away scott free. This why police officers around the country
get no respect from citizens because of this bullshit. There's no reason why these police
officers should be getting their job back. As far as I'm concern they are destructive officers
who should not be wearing the uniform to protect & serve. I would legally fight this matter if
I was the victim because these police officers would never have a job in the police dept or
security field.

[mollymac]

08:26 PM on 09/08/2011

Many police officers come straight out the military where they get to act like that with impunity. Not all of course, but it is well known that sociopaths love to enter the military because they are drawn to the violence they might encounter.

[coco6665]

02:44 PM on 09/09/2011

you are so insane

[darealtruth]

04:01 AM on 09/08/2011

and people wonder why people kill cops

[HBobedajr]

03:58 AM on 09/08/2011

I think that regular psychological re-evaluations should be in order for any cops who appear to have a problem using excessive force too often.
Also, even in a "so-called"isolated case of excessive force,where there is doubt about lack of compliance by the victim,that officer should be re-evaluated.
Furthermore,the panel of investigators and psychologial evaluators should have no connection to the Police Department,it's Internal Affairs Division,or the D.A.'s office,except for the submission of evidence and official reports.
It should be an independent,non-biased entity.

[alderaforall]

03:57 AM on 09/08/2011

how ironic the camera zooms out as the guy gets the crap beat out of him then zooms back in after the cops get done. I don't understand why there is even a question as to whether or not these clowns should get their jobs back. Both should stay unemployed as far as being a cop, never allowed to be a cop anywhere else ever, lose all pensions and benefits they would have been entitled to, held liable for their actions, serve jail time, made to pay severe fines, and have to publicly apologize to the victim. The camera operator should also be punished for their role in trying to cover up the situation. Wrong is wrong and that badge shouldn't be allowed to protect these guys.

[AlternateReality]

03:55 AM on 09/08/2011

Isn't falsifying a police report a felony? These cops lied! They must be fired and prosecuted.