City councilwoman calls for Aurora police chief to resign

AURORA, Colo. — A vocal police advocate has called for the resignation of Aurora’s interim police chief and four other officers.

This advocate is on the Aurora City Council.

Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky surprised the city council on Monday evening by calling for her resignation at the end of the meeting.

“The incompetence of the leadership of the Aurora Police Department has now caught my attention,” Jurinsky said. “Tonight I respectfully request the resignation of the officials…”

She then named four specific officers and interim Police Chief Heather Morris.

“As long as these five are no longer in this department, I will not give up on this issue,” Jurinsky said.

Jurinsky did not specifically tell the council why she wanted them disappeared. However, on April 19, she posted on social media that she was involved in a domestic incident.

“I was involved in a domestic incident at the weekend. Although this is a very personal matter, I also understand that I am a public servant and incidents like this can become news. The legal system is handling the case sensibly and the process will ultimately sort itself out,” she posted on social media.

On Tuesday, she sat down exclusively with 9NEWS to provide more context.

“I was a victim of a crime by someone I was with at the time,” Jurinsky said. “I had cuts on my face. I had black eyes. I had, you know, welts. I looked like I had been attacked,” Jurinsky said.

Since her social media post, Jurinsky has considered speaking publicly about the night, which ended with her date being charged with kidnapping, assault, obstruction and criminal mischief.

“I now understand why women don’t come forward. I now understand why women protect their abusers. And I now understand why people are so afraid of the system,” Jurinsky said.

The affidavit detailing the police response to the domestic violence case remains sealed. However, she said she is considering a civil lawsuit against the officers over their response to her as a victim.

“These four (officers) are the ones I dealt with directly. Those who had direct say in how it was handled,” Jurinsky said. “Bodycam footage has already been reviewed to see how I was treated and how the officers spoke to me.”

Jurinsky also called City Manager Jason Batchelor during Monday night’s meeting.

Aurora has a weak mayoral government. This means that the city manager, not the mayor, has the power to hire, fire employees and make administrative decisions.

“You are completely incapable of overseeing the Aurora Police Department,” Jurinsky told Batchelor during the council meeting.

In an emailed response, a City of Aurora spokesperson wrote, “The matter you are referring to may be related to a domestic situation and an ongoing and ongoing investigation.” Similar to other ongoing cases like this, the relevant ones remain Facts, context and court records secret from court. Our offer is currently very limited.

Interim Chief Heather R. Morris extends her deepest sympathy and sympathy to all crime victims. It is a police officer’s job to provide the justice and safety they deserve and she appreciates the officers’ work in this matter.”

Jurinsky is not afraid to stand up to the police who usually defend them.

She previously called for the firing of former police chief Vanessa Wilson.

Last year, Jurinsky won a $3 million judgment after she sued Wilson’s then-girlfriend Robin Niceta for making false child abuse claims against Jurinsky. Jurinsky said the claims were the result of her criticism of Wilson.

“What I learned in my time on the City Council is that no one seems to take notice until you speak up,” Jurinsky said.

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