A federal judge declined on Friday to order that Denver permit a longtime police critic to apply to join the board tasked with reviewing officers’ use of force.
Regan Benson sought to become one of the two community members on the five-person Use of Force Review Board earlier this year. Command staff who were familiar with her antagonism toward officers refused to advance her candidacy, saying they were “looking for community members that were impartial.” Benson, in contrast, was “biased,” they said.
Benson filed suit, arguing the city is unconstitutionally retaliating against her for speech protected by the First Amendment and Colorado Constitution. But after hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer rejected Benson’s request for an injunction allowing her application to proceed…