COPWATCH WILL OFFER WORKSHOPS

July 30, 2000 - Copwatch, a California-based organization that
monitors police for possible human-rights violations, is coming to
Denver.

Danielle Storer and Leo Stegman of Berkeley, Calif., will be at La
Escuela Tlatelolco, 2949 Federal Blvd., at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12 to
conduct workshops on citizens' rights in a police stop and how to
monitor police.

Frustrated by what they say is a lack of police accountability in
Denver, a variety of local community groups are hosting the workshops:
Amnesty International USA No. 60, BarrioWarriors, End the Politics of
Cruelty, Direct Action Network, Justice for Mena and United Families
for Safe Cruising.

Relying on the Denver Police Department's internal affairs bureau to
investigate and punish acts of police wrongdoing isn't working, said
Stephen Nash, coordinator for the Denver chapter of Amnesty
International.

Copwatch representatives say their group teaches citizens how to
observe and report on interactions between police and citizens.

People trained to be Copwatchers typically approach sites where people
are stopped by police and identify themselves, said Andrea Prichett of
Berkeley, a Copwatch founder.

"They try to act as a support for the person who is a victim of
misconduct," Prichett said.

But Denver Police Detective Mary Thomas said monitors could be a
distraction and put themselves and police in danger.

Copwatch was started a decade ago to help the homeless document the
way they were treated by police but then was expanded to address
misconduct against minorities, Prichett said.