Proposed police disciplinary plan faces scrutiny

• This "education-based discipline" focuses on preventing punitive actions through "positive" discipline, which can include training an officer who commits a low-level violation the appropriate response.
• A spokesperson for the agency told Axios the strategy would not replace its existing system but would supplement it.

Context: Now, if an officer commits a violation, they can face punitive actions, including an oral or written reprimand, loss of time off or suspension.

• Police Chief Ron Thomas told the Denver Post the new strategy could help resolve cases in weeks rather than months.

Yes, but: Denver's Citizen Oversight Board and the Office of the Independent Monitor, which serve as the city's civilian law enforcement watchdogs, oppose the proposal, board chair Julia Richman tells us.

What they're saying: The plan was rushed and created with little public input, Richman tells us, and creates an "off-ramp" for the existing disciplinary process — though she concedes one is too long and cumbersome.

• Education as an outcome can be good, but it shouldn't supplant traditional punitive action, Richman adds.

Between the lines: The new disciplinary strategy wouldn't apply in all cases, including the most serious violations, including unlawful conduct and sexual misconduct.

By the numbers: At least 65 local, state and federal agencies use parts of this this approach nationwide, per documents provided by the agency to Axios.

What's next: The proposal is still being finalized, the agency tells us, and will require final approval from the chief and the city's public safety executive director, Armando Saldate.

• DPD did not provide a timeline for its approval.