• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Colorado lieutenant slams city council in blistering resignation letter

Lt. Dave Cerinich bluntly explains why he's walked away from the profession he loves. (Image via Fox 31)

Lt. Dave Cerinich bluntly explains why he's walked away from the profession he loves. (Image via Fox 31)

October 6, 2020
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

AURORA, Colo. — A retiring police lieutenant of the Aurora Police Department matter-of-factly slammed the city council in a blistering letter that blamed the 10-member board for turning their backs on police officers, siding with protesters and stoking racism.

“It is with great sadness that I inform you of my retirement after 25 years in law enforcement,” retired Lt.. Dave Cerinich said in a letter obtained by FOX31. “I spent the past 20 years in Aurora and it was a pleasure to do so, until this year. I can honestly say that my retirement is a result of you. I am disheartened by your lack of respect for the occupation that I’ve revered for so long.”

  • COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE SENDS MAILER TO DECEASED AND NON-CITIZENS ENCOURAGING THEM TO VOTE

Cerinich wasn’t driven from the profession after being shot in the line of duty in 1999, yet the current political climate is enough to drive him away. He said he had always wanted to be a police officer but that the past six months have changed his mind.

“I’m leaving premature as a result of what’s going on in the community,” he said. “What’s going on in the community is fostered by city council and the city manager.”

Colorado police lieutenant
Dave Cerinich was shot in the line of duty in 1999. (Image via Fox 31)

Moreover, the retiring lieutenant describes how low organizational morale has become by saying 99 percent of his department wants to leave.

“They don’t feel appreciated by the community anymore. They don’t feel appreciated by city council anymore, there’s protests every single weekend, there’s people spitting on us, calling us all kinds of bad names.”

Cerinich said he decided to call it quits after protesters took over District 1 on July 3.

“The city thinks their First Amendment right is more important than my life,” he said. “I can’t protect my cops anymore. City council is dictating what the cops do. I can’t protect my troops anymore; as a lieutenant, if I can’t protect my troops, I don’t need to be here.”

  • COLORADO POLICE REFORM BILL HAS SENT OFFICERS TO THE EXITS

Cerinich warned that more cops were willing to walk and that the city was “going to lose a lot of good people who aren’t going to be there when you need help.”

Cerinich singled out Councilmember Angela Lawson in his letter, saying he was “disappointed” in her, Fox reported.

“She actually came out and rode with me numerous times,” he said. “During those rides we discussed race and even discussed racial profiling. As we rode around I would ask her to identify the drivers/occupants of the vehicle that passed us and she said she couldn’t identify them. I proved to her that traffic stops are made based on violations of the traffic code or criminal statutes and not race.”

That didn’t sit well with Lawson, who told FOX31 that data showed racial disparities exist in how policing is administered.

“The personal attacks on me, the only black woman on Council demonstrates the problem and Lt. Cerinich  comments are a shining example of the problem. By pretending that racial disparities are not happening undermines the community trust in the department. Maybe instead of attacking me Lt. Cerinich should focus on some inward introspection on how he could have been a better officer.”

  • COLORADO PROTESTERS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING AND INCITING A RIOT AFTER OFFICERS PINNED IN PRECINCT

Actually, it is Lawson and politicians like her that are “pretending” massive problems exists when in fact they do not. The infrequent example — based upon total police contacts —of a non-compliant suspect meeting his demise because a police officer didn’t handle the resistance textbook perfect is insufficient evidence to make the case. Nevertheless, facts have done nothing to neutralize the avalanche of propaganda, lies, and misinformation.

Best wishes in retirement, Lt. Cerinich.

 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Angela LawsonAurora Police DepartmentDave CerinichLt. Cerinich
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Alexus Tanielle Nelson

Colorado mother arrested after remains of missing child found in apartment closet

June 2, 2023
James Craig

Dentist used rush order of cyanide to kill wife, police say

March 20, 2023
Rolando Felipe

Colorado teen arrested in fatal shooting of 12-year-old boy, injuring 14-year-old

November 14, 2022
Colorado police

Colorado police union president fired after snarky critique of city’s reform agreements

February 4, 2022
Colorado police union president

Colorado police union president suspended over ‘diversity’ email

November 24, 2021
Illinois officer

Dashcam video shows Illinois officer attacked, strangled during foot pursuit

July 22, 2021
Load More

Latest Articles

Taravel Police Station

On Duty Shopping Is Not Recommended

June 5, 2023
Aristeo Martinez

Police arrest man for murder that occurred near Disneyland

June 5, 2023
Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris-backed bail fund sees revenues plunge 98 percent

June 5, 2023

Is A Portland Serial Killer On The Loose?

June 4, 2023

West Virginia police officer killed in crash

June 4, 2023

58-year-old police recruit follows his dream

June 4, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com