Three Denver police officers were fired after making disturbing jokes about using migrant shelters for “target practice,” the Denver Police Department announced on Thursday.
According to Denver’s Chief of Police, Ron Thomas, the officers were involved in “inappropriate text messaging” where they exchanged messages with other recruits, joking about going to at least two migrant shelters to use them as shooting targets. “This behavior is extremely prejudicial to the department and poorly represents the Denver Police Department to the community,” Thomas wrote in the termination letters to the officers.
The offensive messages were shared in a group chat in March while the officers were still in their probationary period, a time that typically lasts nine months from the start of their academy training. The department became aware of the texts on April 4, just six days after they were sent. Given the “abhorrent nature of the messages,” all three officers were terminated on July 22, according to a department statement.
The three officers dismissed were identified as Rodrigo Basurto, Meagan Joy, and Scot Persichette. Since they were still in their probationary period, they are not eligible to appeal their termination.
Denver Police officials also announced that the remaining officers in the group chat, whose number has not been specified, will receive additional training focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, as well as Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement. The department did not disclose if any further disciplinary actions would be taken.
