A Denver Police Department officer was taken into custody last week on charges related to domestic violence. According to the Denver Police Department, Officer Troy Smith was arrested in Brighton on Friday for investigation of Third-Degree Assault–Domestic Violence, which is categorized as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Officer Smith, having served with the Denver Police Department since 2007, was recently working within the DPD’s Airport Police Bureau. In the wake of the arrest, he has since been shifted to a non-patrol assignment and will continue to serve in this off-field capacity while the case is being processed through the legal system. This appears to be standard procedure so as not to compromise his ability to fulfill the duties of a patrol officer while the case unfolds.
The Denver Police Department has stated that an internal review of Smith's incident will commence post the resolution of the criminal proceedings. This internal review will involve both the Denver Department of Safety and the Office of the Independent Monitor, which provides civilian oversight. The DPD emphasizes that it will not comment on ongoing criminal investigations.
The arrest highlights ongoing issues surrounding police conduct and the mechanisms in place for policing the police. Denver's Office of the Independent Monitor, established to ensure accountability, will have to thoroughly scrutinize to uphold justice, not only for the integrity of the department but for public trust as well. Meanwhile, the DPD is left to handle the optics of this incident, as well as the practical implications of an officer sidelined due to allegations of domestic violence.
