WEBB ACTS FOR ALL IN CASE

Mayor Wellington Webb has reacted swiftly and appropriately to a report that
exonerated several Denver police officers from accusations of excessive
force after their conduct was recorded by an airborne TV crew four months
ago.

It's good to hear the mayor is still on the job.

After months of watching Webb on satellite TV from Washington, Seattle, New
York, Los Angeles, Japan, England, France, Germany and the African
continent, it was reassuring to hear that he still drops by City Hall.

For a while, I thought he was moonlighting as the secretary of state's
valet. And then I realized that he was actually moonlighting as our mayor.

But I digress.

Webb's press aide, Andrew Hudson, has reported that the mayor was "troubled"
by the Arapahoe County district attorney's conclusion that Denver cops
hadn't unnecessarily brutalized two drug suspects sought by federal agents
and trapped by DPD Blue after a car chase.

Channel 7's videotape of the action, captured by its newsroom helicopter,
appeared to show that after the suspects had been subdued, cops kicked one
and smashed another in the head with the butt of his gun

The Arapahoe County DA's office saw nothing wrong with that.

Fortunately, the mayor wasn't satisfled.

"Notwithstanding the findings of the Arapahoe County district attorney, I.
question whether this is appropriate arrest procedure," Webb said in a memo
te Safety Manager Butch Montoya, requesting an inquiry into violations of
police policies.

Webb also wants an explanation for why police rushed the suspects' car while
believing the fugitives might be armed -- in violation of police techniques
that recommend cops keep their distance until fugitives emerge from a car in
plain view.

The mayor's memo asked whether that conduct might be "a consequence of the
officers losing their composure in a high-stress situation."

Webb's approach is commendable not only because it expresses a concern for
police brutality, but also a concern for police safety.

By recklessly running to the suspects' car, the policemen were stupidly
risking thek own lives by violating commonsense procedures taught in most
policetraining academies.

Webb is asking all the right questions. Now the public deserves a thorough
report of all the answers.

It's good to have you drop by occasionally, mayor.