Alex Landau

Photos: Ten notable Denver police shootings

News that no charges would be made against the three police officers who nearly beat Alex Landau to death in 2009 has brought renewed scrutiny to the Denver Police Department, especially when it comes to the question of race. Jared Jacang Maher explored these questions in his 2008 feature "Target Pr ... More >>

Alex Landau on the decision not to charge cops who nearly beat him to death

Last week, Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez announced that there would be no charges against the three Denver police officers who nearly beat college student Alex Landau to death in 2009. Earlier this week, we spoke with Landau's lawyer, who was troubled by evidence he fears Martinez ignored. ... More >>

Alex Landau beating: Attorney says decision not to charge officers ignores key evidence

Last week, Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez announced that there would be no charges against the three Denver police officers who nearly beat college student Alex Landau to death in 2009. Afterward, Independent Monitor Nicholas Mitchell said Landau's claim that an Internal Affairs officer trie ... More >>

Alex Landau beating: Advocate backs police monitor's call for more investigation

Friday afternoon, the office of Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez announced that there would be no charges against the three Denver police officers who nearly beat college student Alex Landau to death in 2009. In Martinez's mind, the case should be over at this point. But Independent Monitor N ... More >>

Alex Landau case: No charges against three Denver cops in his brutal beating

Update below: In February, the Justice Department decided not to charge the officers who beat Alex Landau to a pulp with federal civil rights violations. Then, days later, a cop who pummeled him was reinstated at the conclusion of a separate excessive-force investigation. Although Landau was frustr ... More >>

Syringe access program distributes more than 100,000 clean needles in 2012

Colorado's largest legal syringe access program gave out 116,671 clean needles in 2012 -- and safely disposed of 71,323 dirty ones. An infographic of statistics from the Harm Reduction Action Center's first ten months of operation (it began exchanging needles from its location in Denver last Febru ... More >>

Photos: Alex Landau faces Alex Martinez at Michael DeHerrera police brutality rally

Earlier this week, Alex Landau, who was brutally beaten by police in 2009, expressed frustration about the reinstatement of an officer previously fired in a separate incident involving Michael DeHerrera, and also complained about Manager of Safety Alex Martinez's decision not to meet with him about ... More >>

Alex Landau frustrated by cop reinstatement, latest delay in bloody beating investigation

Earlier this month, the Justice Department decided not to charge the officers who beat Alex Landau to a pulp with federal civil rights violations. This conclusion frustrated Landau, but he figured that at least he'd find out the results of a local investigation put on hold due to the feds' actions. ... More >>

Michael DeHerrera beating: Cop Devin Sparks fired (again), Randy Murr reinstated (again)

As we've reported, Denver cops Devin Sparks and Randy Murr have been suspended, fired and un-fired since the April 2009 on-camera beating of Michael DeHerrera, who was attacked by Sparks while using his cell phone; see the video below. Now, the Civil Service Commission has rendered what appears to t ... More >>

Reader: Justice Department's decision not to charge cops in Alex Landau beating predictable

Our post about the decision by Justice Department representatives not to charge Denver cops involved in the brutal beating of Alex Landau with federal civil-rights violations prompted anger and frustration among many of our readers. Here's an example.

Alex Laundau responds to feds' decision not to charge Denver cops who brutally beat him

Organizations hoping to bury unpleasant or potentially controversial news traditionally release information late Friday, in the hope that many folks already in weekend mode miss the development. A classic example: Justice Department reps chose Friday at 6:30 p.m. to inform Alex Landau that they woul ... More >>

Denver Diner case: Judge rules City of Denver can be put on trial for police brutality

A huge ruling in the lawsuit related to the 2009 billy-clubbing and macing incident at the Denver Diner. U.S. District Court Judge William Martinez has determined that the City of Denver can be put on trial for allegedly fostering a culture that tolerates police brutality and abuse. Reaction from an ... More >>

Racial justice hotline report: 39 percent of callers say they were injured by police

A year ago, the Colorado Progressive Coalition relaunched its Racial Justice Hotline. The goal was to collect stories and statistics about racial profiling and police misconduct in the hopes of changing the culture of policing -- which, as evidenced by the story of Alex Landau, who was beaten by pol ... More >>

Martin Luther King Jr. Day marked by marade -- and official holiday

Editor's note: Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that got its start here in Colorado. The Westword office is closed, but Latest Word will be posting occasional updates. Watch for our full roster of stories to return tomorrow. The country's largest parade in honor of Martin Lut ... More >>

Denver Diner case: Mayor Michael Hancock says reforms needed at Civil Service Commission

Asked about the Denver Civil Service Commission's reinstatement of two police officers fired for a billy-clubbing and macing incident at the Denver Diner, Mayor Michael Hancock says it's time to re-evaluate the commission's disciplinary hearings process. His comments only add to pressure on the comm ... More >>

Denver Diner: Attorney, witness of brutality incident decry accused cops' back-to-work order

Update: Last week, we noted that Denver police officers Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine had been given the go-ahead by the Denver Civil Service Commission to hit the streets again despite having been fired last year for their actions in the 2009 billy-clubbing and macing incident at the Denver Diner. H ... More >>

Jimma Reat's family sues Denver over botched 911 call that led to his death

Earlier this year, we told you about the tragic death of Jimma Reat, a Sudanese immigrant who was killed after a 911 operator told him and his companions to return to Denver after escaping a racially motivated attack. Now, his estate, among others, is suing the city over the incident, alleging that ... More >>

Reader: It's a welcome change to see investigative journalism alive and well

Can new faces and a new structure bring discipline to the Denver Police Department?

Denver police misconduct allegations: A Westword update

In this week's cover story, "Back on the Beat," Westword explores recent changes within the Denver Police Department's oversight system and its investigation of Alex Landau's January 2009 beating. For a while, there won't be any changes: While the Department of Justice analyzes the Landau, the DPD h ... More >>

Westword writers receive national acclaim

Alex Landau still waiting for DPD decision, but his Westword story wins a major award

In January 2009, Alex Landau landed in the hospital after Denver cops pulled over the black teen for making an illegal left turn. He's still waiting for the Denver Police Department to determine the fate of the officers involved -- but another verdict came in this weekend, when Joel Warner's cover s ... More >>

Alex Landau beating: Denver cops puts case on pause as FBI investigates

Update below: Alex Landau talks about the news. Three years-plus since Alex Landau was beaten bloody after being pulled over for what officers cited as an illegal left turn, and a year since he was

Alex Landau refuses to re-enact Denver cop beating

On January 29, 2009, Alex Landau was brutally beaten by Denver cops after they pulled him over for what they said was an illegal left turn -- but he charged was racial profiling. And the City of Denver agreed -- or at least was worried enough about the federal lawsuit Landau filed to settle with La ... More >>

Police misconduct: New review commander suggested suspension for DeHerrera officers

In the past month, the Denver Police Department has institutionalized numerous changes aimed at increasing the efficiency of its internal reviews and encouraging the public to put faith in the results. According to Police Chief Robert White and Manager of Safety Alex Martinez, this is a very, very g ... More >>

Police brutality: Witness upset Denver Diner cops to be back on street

New update below: Denver's Civil Service Commission has determined that officers Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine, fired over an alleged brutality incident at the Denver Diner in 2009, can return to the street while the city appeals their reinstatement. This decision aggravates Colorado Progressive Coal ... More >>

Police brutality: Reinstated cop still faces lawsuit in Denver Diner case

Big pics below.​Denver's Civil Service Commission has reinstated officers Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine, who'd been fired for their actions in an alleged brutality incident at the Denver Diner in 2009. But a lawsuit over the matter is still alive, and the attorney representing the plaintiffs e ... More >>

Denver's Civil Service Commission should be fired along with bad cops

There's not much a Denver cop can't do on the job these days. He can beat men without provocation, mace women for fun, disobey orders, and lie to his superiors and the public. It's all good. It's just cops being cops, right? That's the apparent position of the Civil Service Commission, which hears d ... More >>

Ricky Nixon, Denver cop involved in several brutality cases, is reinstated

Police brutality: Cop reinstated before city has completed Alex Landau inquiry

Alex Landau.​The decision of the Civil Service Commission to reinstate cops Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine, who'd been sacked over an alleged 2009 brutality incident at the Denver Diner, is controversial in and of itself. But this twist becomes even more incendiary considering that Nixon was al ... More >>

Alex Landau discusses the lack of prosecution for the officers who beat him

Three years ago, Alex Landau became a symbol of sorts for racial inequality and police brutality in Denver. Three years ago, Denver police officers pulled Landau over for an alleged illegal left turn, and it was not long after that they beat him bloody. But that was three years ago, and Landau has c ... More >>

Alex Landau and the Colorado Progressive Coalition promote racial profiling hotline

​Three years ago on Sunday, police officers pulled over Alex Landau,then nineteen, for taking an illegal left turn onto Emerson. They then beat him bloody. Although Landau received one of the city's largest police brutality settlements in May -- $795,000 -- his story remains a chilling example ... More >>

Michael DeHerrera, victim of police beating, can't get a job because arrest still on record

The beating.​Earlier this month, we spoke to Michael DeHerrera and his father, Anthony, about their displeasure over the reinstatement of two cops fired for beating Michael in 2009. But Michael is dealing with more than disappointment. His dad says he can't get a job because that two-year-old ... More >>

Denver police brutality: City legal payouts pale compared to New York's $500 million problem

Alex Landau.​Allegations of Denver police brutality, from Michael DeHerrera's beating in LoDo to Alex Landau getting pummeled after allegedly making an illegal left turn, continue to make headlines. But how bad is Denver's police misconduct problem? Here's one point of comparison: While Denve ... More >>

Reader: Police brutality videos are concerned citizens' best defense against more abuse

Alex Landau.​Patricia Calhoun's post about the ACLU's "Police Brutality is Killing Us" campaign -- a movement inspired by beating cases like the one involving Alex Landau -- sparked a number of strong comments. Take this one, in which a reader encourages witnesses to law-enforcement violence t ... More >>

Settling police and sheriff claims cost Denver $10 million since 2002, ACLU finds

Alex Landau.​As detailed in last week's feature on Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal, Denver is in the midst of a police-misconduct story that won't go away. Now, as part of its "Race to Justice" police brutality awareness campaign, the ACLU tracked down all city payouts for police-relate ... More >>

Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal keeps a close eye on the Denver police

Denver police brutality scandal: A multimedia timeline

Rosenthal.​This week's cover story, "The Watcher," details the role Denver's Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal has played in the ongoing controversy involving city law enforcement and alleged police brutality. It's a scandal that's made nationwide news and is shaping the mayoral race. How ... More >>

Reader: Alex Landau's $795K settlement for police beating shows we the people can prevail

Alex Landau.​Joel Warner's interview with Alex Landau, who received a $795,000 settlement for a police beating reassured one reader who's watched similar incidents with dismay over the years. Here's his post.

Alexander Landau on $795,000 police-brutality settlement: "I can move forward"

Landau.​On January 15, 2009, Alexander Landau was a nineteen-year-old Community College of Denver student who was pulled over for an illegal left turn and beaten bloody by three Denver cops. Now, thanks to a $795,000 settlement announced Monday, he's received one of the largest-ever payouts fo ... More >>

Alexander Landau police beating: Denver settles lawsuit for $795,000

Alex Landau.​Update: Denver City Council approved settling Landau's lawsuit for $795,000 during their meeting tonight. In a statement, Mayor Guillermo (Bill) Vidal noted, "This settlement sends our clear message to Mr. Landau and the community that we take these types of allegations seriously, ... More >>

Ricky Nixon, cop fired over incident at Denver Diner, tied to earlier beating & shooting death

​As we reported yesterday, Manager of Safety Charley Garcia has sacked Denver cops Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine over allegedly billy-clubbing women to the ground and macing one of them in a July 2009 incident at the Denver Diner. Now it's been confirmed that one of the cops, Ricky Nixon, was a ... More >>

Michael DeHerrera beating: Officers Devin Sparks & Randy Murr fired by Manager of Safety

The attack.​Michael DeHerrera was using a cell phone when he was beaten by Denver Police officers -- a 2009 incident captured on video. Since then, there have been a great many cries for justice amid publicity over other alleged incidents of excessive force involving the likes of Alex Landau. ... More >>

Brad Mitchell, Scarlet Ranch bartender, latest to allege excessive force by Denver Police officers

CBS4​There are no shortage of excessive-force complaints against Denver Police officers these days, as our reporting about cases involving Michael DeHerrera, Alex Landau, Nick Lynch and others demonstrates. The latest? A threatened lawsuit by Scarlet Ranch bartender Brad Mitchell, who claims c ... More >>

EyeOnCop cameras, by Denver-based United Surveillance, watch the cops so you don't have to

​Thanks to a string of alleged police-brutality incidents such as those involving Michael DeHerrera and Alex Landau, some Denverites may be feeling more nervous than ever about Denver cops. Such folks may want to consider the EyeOnCop video system, a new product developed by Denver-based Unite ... More >>

Alex Landau and police brutality: Ricky Nixon, one of cops involved, tied to '06 shooting death

Alex Landau​Last week, Westword detailed how nineteen-year-old college student Alex Landau was beaten bloody by three Denver police officers -- Randy Murr, Tiffany Middleton and Ricky Nixon -- after being pulled over for an illegal left turn in January 2009. As first reported by West Denver C ... More >>

Alex Landau was pulled over for making an illegal left turn and ended up beaten bloody

Bike-riding Westword contributor gets into confrontation with cop after car nearly hits him

​Police brutality is big news these days -- but until this week, I'd never experienced any problems with law enforcement. The events at 16th and Champa streets on Monday night, however, have changed my whole perspective on abuse of power.

Did Alex Landau's bloody run-in with Denver Police have an effect on his music? You decide.

​This week's cover story, "Black and Blue," by Joel Warner, examines the incident and aftermath of Alex Landau's bloody run-in with the Denver police in January 2009. Landau, now 21, is a student at the Community College of Denver and, like many college students, loves writing and listening t ... More >>

Alex Landau rhymes about being beaten up by Denver Police (VIDEO)

​This week's cover story, "Black and Blue," by Joel Warner, recounts nineteen-year-old Alex Landau's run-in with Denver Police in January 2009. Landau, now 21, still has physical scarring and what could be identified as post-traumatic stress disorder after being beaten bloody by the DPD (cont ... More >>