“Falco’s history establishes a
pattern of conduct where, even after receiving substantial discipline for
violations, Officer Falco repeatedly continues to disregard directives,” the
commission wrote.
By BRANDON JOHANSSON,
AURORA | The city’s Civil
Service Commission upheld a 320-hour suspension Wednesday for an
oft-disciplined Aurora cop who shot at a truck full of auto parts thieves.
In the ruling, the commission
said Officer John “Chris” Falco disobeyed a department directive when he fired
at the vehicle in 2011, killing one suspect and leaving another paralyzed. The
commission said Falco was “cavalier” when he opted not to look for cover and
instead opened fire on the truck.
Falco has a lengthy discipline
history and has been fired before only to have the commission overturn the
firing.
In the ruling Wednesday, the
commission said Falco’s history of disciplinary issues played a role in their
decision to uphold the chief’s 320-hour suspension.
“Falco’s history establishes a
pattern of conduct where, even after receiving substantial discipline for
violations, Officer Falco repeatedly continues to disregard directives,” the
commission wrote.
The list of infractions Falco
has been disciplined for include calling the wounded auto part thief a
“marshmallow head” to other officers,
babysitting his grandson while on duty, berating a city lawyer, cursing
at a teenager during a traffic stop, and using homophobic slurs toward another
officer.
Prosecutors ruled Falco and
another officer were justified when they fired at the truck and they were not
charged with a crime. Still, then-Chief Dan Oates suspended Falco because he
fired at a moving vehicle, something a department directive specifically
forbids.
Falco’s lawyer did not
immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.
