Colorado Springs leaders call for review of police video capturing “we will gas you” chant
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Elected leaders are calling on the Colorado Springs Police Department to further investigate and potentially discipline officers following a 13 Investigates story involving police body-worn camera video.
“You got blood on your face, you big disgrace, kicking your a** all over the place. Singing we will, we will gas you,” the individual can be heard singing along to the tune of the 1977 song “We Will Rock You" by the band Queen.
In the video, another individual appears to laugh at the altered lyrics, however, neither the singer nor the individual laughing is seen in the Colorado Springs police body-worn camera video.
CSPD told 13 Investigates there were multiple law enforcement agents in the area at the time of the video, from multiple jurisdictions, so it's unclear who exactly made those comments captured on camera.
"I'm concerned if this is from police body-worn camera. If it's a sworn police officer that's saying we will we will gas you and clapping then I'm very concerned," Colorado Springs City Council President Tom Strand told 13 Investigates. "I think there ought to be an inquiry into that behavior."
In a statement to 13 Investigates, Colorado Springs Police said they would not take additional action pertaining to this body-worn camera video.
CSPD is aware of the BWC recording and that it was shared with legal counsel through the civil discovery process. There was a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement presence when this video was recorded and it is unknown exactly who made the comments. We recognize the perception this video shows but note it does not accurately show the thought process and considerations made by CSPD staff before the dispersal of gas was authorized during the riots of 2020. As the content of this video has already been considered as part of civil litigation, CSPD is taking no additional action regarding the video.
Lt. Pamela Castro, Colorado Springs Police Department
Strand said he is going to ask CSPD to reconsider "taking no additional action regarding the video." However, if Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez feels that CSPD's response to the video is sufficient then he will respect that.
"But I will ask (Chief Vasquez) to reconsider that decision," Strand said. "I think seeing this video and listening to the tape is concerning to me."
Colorado Springs Councilman Bill Murray took things further - calling for disciplinary action.
"We need to make sure that these things don't happen again," Murray said. "Part of ensuring they don't happen again is figuring out how it happened and who did it. Make sure the entire force understands this is not acceptable behavior from any member with CSPD."
13 Investigates reached out to CSPD for a response to Councilman Strand and Councilman Murray's comments and are waiting on a response.
Four hours after the individual was recorded singing “we will gas you,” law enforcement officers, including Colorado Springs police, used tear gas and pepper spray on protesters in an effort to disperse the crowd.
The Colorado Springs Police Department body-worn camera video was provided to 13 Investigates by a civil rights attorney representing a woman that recently filed a lawsuit against the City of Colorado Springs and four police officers.
Tara Hadam alleged that Colorado Springs police officers used excessive force and wrongfully arrested her during the protest on June 2, 2020, outside the Operations Center.
“At the protest, Ms. Hadam peacefully demonstrated against police violence,” an amended complaint filed in August stated. “Despite the peaceful nature of her protest, CSPD officers subjected Ms. Hadam to the very unlawful violence that she was protesting. Video makes what happened indisputable: Ms. Hadam stood with her hands held high in the air in front of a line of CSPD officers in full riot gear and protective shields; while she stood this way, (the defendant) repeatedly sprayed her directly in the face with extremely painful noxious chemical sprays.”
A KRDO crew was outside the Colorado Springs Police Operations Center the night of the protest and obtained video of the incident between Ms. Hadam and Colorado Springs police officers.
Following the incident, Hadam was arrested and charged with obstructing a police officer and failing to disobey a public order. However, after a jury trial, Hadam was acquitted of her charges in September 2021.
On Sep. 28 of this year, Colorado Springs City Council members voted 7-2 to approve a six-figure settlement with Hadam.
Adam Frank, Hadam’s attorney who provided 13 Investigates with the Colorado Springs police body-worn camera video, says the settlement between his client and the city of Colorado Springs is worth approximately $140,000.
