NOTE TO EDITORS: The full report and findings may be viewed on the Web at .
The University of Colorado Police Department released a 33-page summary report today of an internal investigation into complaints regarding a Jan. 29 anti-war protest at the University Memorial Center.
Based on information gathered during the departmental review, CU-Boulder Police Chief James Fadenrecht concluded that a complaint of use of excess force and police misconduct was unfounded. According to Fadenrecht, the officers involved were exonerated of the allegation.
Initially peaceful, the demonstration degenerated into a confrontation between protesters and CU-Boulder police officers. Three individuals were arrested following the incident, which included the use of chemical spray by both sides.
Following the event, Fadenrecht launched an internal affairs investigation in response to complaints of misconduct. The review was conducted by Lt. Brad Wiesley of the campus police force and included numerous interviews with witnesses, participants and police officers. Police departments utilize internal affairs reviews to investigate complaints of misconduct and to identify any necessary improvements in operations.
In his finding, Fadenrecht said the situation "was avoidable and in fact escalated to an unnecessary and regrettable level. However, it is equally clear that officer actions and/or conduct were not the determining factors in the escalation." He cited the behavior on the part of "several individuals who chose to engage in a confrontation" as the dominant factor.
Fadenrecht said the investigation confirmed that the issue of police identification was a subject of "legitimate concern," because some people involved could not distinguish between plain-clothes officers and others present. He said the review underscores the need for UCPD officers to take "additional measures to identify themselves as peace officers in future situations of this nature."
Fadenrecht also said that his finding was not "intended as a critique of the entire episode nor does it suggest that there was nothing that could have been done differently in hindsight."
Ron Stump, vice chancellor for student affairs, said, "The Jan. 29 confrontation was an unfortunate and disappointing incident for our campus. We all need to look at how a peace rally can turn into a physical conflict and learn from this incident so that such confrontations can be avoided in the future."