Chief says he regrets conflict with war protesters

Colorado Springs police are reviewing policies for handling crowds and civil disobedience after the arrest of seven war protesters, Chief Richard Myers said Monday.

Decisions by the protesters and organizers of a St. Patrick’s Day parade resulted in police being “thrust into the middle” of a dispute, the chief said.

Myers offered the analysis during a meeting of the Colorado Springs City Council, nearly two months after the March 17 event.

“I deeply regret that this incident happened,” Myers said. “It’s not the goal of the police department to be in conflict with any part of this community.”

The arrests sparked angry reaction from activists who oppose the U.S. military action in Iraq, including the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission.

Protesters said police used excessive force to remove them after parade organizers made an on-the-spot call to revoke their permission to participate. St. Patrick’s Day parade organizers argued the protesters’ anti-war message promoted a “social issue” in violation of event rules.

Myers cited decisions from both sides for precipitating a confrontation with police. The protesters misled parade organizers when they submitted a parade entry form that indicated nothing about an antiwar message. Parade organizers, too, could have sought options other than the protesters’ immediate removal, he said.

Still, Myers said his department could have handled the situation better than it did. Among the areas he said police could improve:

- City policy is unclear on the role of police in monitoring privately funded events such as the parade. Event sponsors pay for police protection, but coordination among officers, sponsors and other parties was insufficient.

- Police at the parade included 34 officers and one sergeant supervisor. More supervisors spaced throughout the parade could prevent a conflict, Myers said.

- Police have tended to provide the “bare minimum” number of officers for security at such events rather than consider the number needed, he said.

Myers rebuked critics who had called the officers’ actions a case of “police brutality.” He displayed a widely published photograph of an officer holding one of the protesters from behind and escorting him off the parade route. Critics have called the maneuver a chokehold, but Myers said the officer’s arm is held across the protester’s chest, not his neck. The protester was cooperating as the officer escorted him away, Myers said.

“To describe this maneuver as brutality is irresponsible and inflammatory,” he said.

The City Council largely welcomed Myers’ explanation.

“You are doing exactly what you need to do and taking your department in the right direction,” said Mayor Lionel Rivera.

Separately Monday, several protesters marched outside the municipal court building next to City Hall, calling attention to a hearing inside concerning the arrested protesters.

The demonstrators carried flags and signs as one chanted through a bullhorn: “What do we want?” and the others responded “Free speech.”

“We’re just here to show them support,” said Cyndy Kulp of Colorado Springs. “Police intimidation and brutality is a huge issue in this community.”

A municipal court judge set trial for July 20 for the protesters charged with obstruction.

In a break from traditional policy, Myers said after the trial the department will release the results of its internal affairs investigation into officers’ behavior during the arrests.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com