Judge Orders Denver Police To Limit Use Of Tear Gas, Projectiles

DENVER, CO — A federal judge has ordered Denver police to limit their use of tear gas and projectiles against peaceful protesters.

The order, which was issued Friday night by U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson, says the "threat to physical safety and free speech outweighs the threat to property."

Dozens of protesters have reported significant injuries during clashes with police as protests against the death of George Floyd continue in Denver. One protester said he was struck so hard by a projectile that his eye had to be surgically removed.

The ruling was issued after four protesters asked for a restraining order against officers and filed a lawsuit against the Denver Police Department. The protesters said many officers have been firing at people's faces, necks and backs.

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The order allows the use of non-lethal weapons against protesters in cases of self-defense, but only if a higher-ranked officer witnesses a situation where their use is required.

Officers also need to give protesters time to move away after orders are given, and if officers suspect some people many not have heard the orders, they need to repeat them again before using non-lethal weapons.

Police officers must also keep their body cameras on at all times during the protests.

Law enforcement during the protests is a "very difficult and often thankless job," Jackson said.

The Denver Police Department said it "will comply with the judge's directions, many of which are already in line with [the department]'s use of force policy."

"We are asking for modifications to the Order that would account for limitations on staffing and body-worn cameras so the directions can be operationalized."

Some law enforcement agencies from other parts of Colorado have been deployed in Denver to help with the protests, and they do not have enough body cameras for all officers, the city said.