Boulder City Manager Steps Up re Elk killing

Following is the unusual letter I received from the Boulder Colorado city manager, followed by my response to her. "I share your concern about the number of incidents in our police department over the past year. We have had four employees make very poor decisions. Those four employees represent about 1.4 percent of the police department. "The city has taken each violation very seriously. Boulder’s internal affairs officers investigated the situations from a policy and discipline perspective, and external agencies investigated when appropriate (such as DUI, weapons sales, and the Mapleton elk). The Boulder Police Department cooperated fully with these external investigations and also took additional actions when department policies and officer codes of conduct were violated. "While Boulder works very hard to maintain a model police department, no organization is perfect. The issue, however, is not whether an organization has occasional problems; it is how the organization responds and deals with each situation. The Boulder Police Department has a long record of being responsive to allegations of misconduct and in dealing with them appropriately. . . . "In reference to the elk that was killed in the Mapleton Hill neighborhood on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, we are taking the situation very seriously. There are two separate investigations underway to determine the facts and details of this incident – an internal investigation by Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit (internal affairs) and a criminal investigation by Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CDPW). "Officers Sam Carter and Brent Curnow, the officers involved in the elk shooting, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations. "The CDPW’s investigation will focus on whether a crime was committed by the officers. The Boulder Police Department is cooperating fully with wildlife officials and cannot comment on the agency’s investigation. Questions should be directed to CDPW.. . . We will be awaiting the outcome of the criminal investigation before reaching any conclusions. This could take several weeks to complete. "I appreciate your concern about the police department and can assure you that the situation is being thoroughly investigated; the city will respond appropriately." Very truly, Jane S. Brautigam City Manager -0- Dear Jane S. Brautigam – Thank you for responding to my concerns about the elk killing. I am impressed with what you write and your general approach. Sometimes I and other animal activists are regarded with dismissal or disdain. It was inspiriting to be connected with your ideas. As you know the matter about how we treat animals has far more dimensions than we knew before. As I said, it’s not just that we should treat animals differently than we did in the past; it is that a new approach and new insights are tied into the visionary thinking that will bring us – we dearly hope – to a new evolutionary point in regard to the web of life. To a point wherein we don’t just deny or feel anxiety about the ruinous damage to the planet but where we turn in the direction of guardianship. More and more we see that a hope for life lies in new visions about life. Though I’m not religious in the traditional sense, I recently found that, far back in the writing of Revelations it was said: “Hurt not the trees nor the waters...” Probably the officers who thought it was routine or okay to kill the elk need to see a broader perspective. How to bring that about will be a daunting challenge. I extend my respect and kindest wishes. Thank you again – China Altman