By Michael Roberts Thu., Oct. 9 2014 at 6:33
AM
In the wake of well-publicized troubles
involving multiple Denver police officers, the city's Department of Safety has
been making a very public display of disciplining cops for behavior deemed
over-the-line. Latest example: Ricardo Damian, an officer who's served more
than two decades with the DPD, has been suspended for using homophobic and
otherwise offensive language against female colleagues, including one he
allegedly referred to as a "dyke bitch." Photos and details below.
The story was first reported by CBS4, which
notes that Damian has been on the Denver force since 1991 and has what's termed
"no significant disciplinary history."
However, an order penned by Deputy Director
of Safety Jess Vigil and obtained by the station suggests that Damian's view of
homosexuals doesn't tilt toward quietly accepting their lifestyle.
The report notes that an internal police
investigation was launched after a pair of crime scene investigators complained
about Damian's allegedly frequent anti-gay remarks. For instance, he's said to
have referred to one female colleague as a "dyke bitch" and another
as a "bitch" or a "fucking bitch" every time he heard their
voices on the police radio.
A third staffer confirmed hearing Damian
refer to a co-worker as "that dyke," as well as what CBS4 delicately
describes as "crude phrases referring to sexual orientation."
Likewise, other witnesses quoted Damian as
ridiculing same-sex marriage, ripping another employee's sexual orientation and
wondering aloud "who the man in the relationship was and about whether or
not (she) and her partner used 'toys' during sex."
When quizzed by investigators, Damian didn't
exactly deny voicing such comments. An excerpt from the report reads:
"Officer Damian admitted that he called (another employee) a 'dyke bitch'
on a few occasions...and claimed that (she) had referred to herself as a 'dyke'
in the past. He admitted saying some things that he 'isn't proud of' but
claimed that he was never told by anyone that they were offended."
Indeed, he referred to his takes as
"friendly banter" -- a characterization contradicted by at least one
of the officers who complained about his behavior. That person said the
comments didn't seem to have been stated "in jest or in a joking
manner."
Vigil ultimately sided with Damian's
accusers. In the order, he writes: "Officer Damian repeatedly, and over
the course of several months, made repugnant, offensive and derogatory remarks
in the workplace. He breached the trust that was placed upon him by the
department and he abused the authority he was given when he made the
inappropriate, derogatory, biased and discriminatory remarks about...gender and
sexual orientation" -- comments he dubbed "inexcusable."
As such, Damian has been slapped with two
ninety-day suspensions to run concurrently, meaning he'll be off the job for
three months total. That should give him time to come to terms with the reality
that same-sex marriage became the law in Colorado this week.
