Former Parker police sergeant sentenced to 90 days in jail for sexual misconduct

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KRDO) -- A 32-year-old former Parker police sergeant was sentenced to 90 days in county jail after pleading guilty to charges stemming from sexual misconduct involving two participants in the department's Explorer program.

According to the 23^rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office (DA), Troy Brienzo will also serve four years of sex offender intensive supervised probation.

Brienzo pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer while on duty, a Class 4 felony, and one count of first-degree official misconduct, a Class 1 misdemeanor, the DA confirmed.

Officials say the case began after two adult victims came forward with allegations involving Brienzo during ride-alongs with the Parker Police Department.

According to the investigation, one victim reported that on Jan. 3, Brienzo discussed hypothetical sexual situations with her during a ride-along before taking her to a secluded area of the police station. She told investigators Brienzo groped her under the guise of conducting a mock pat-down.

A second victim reported that Brienzo also had intercourse with her in his patrol car during a ride-along. The DA says it was also reported that Brienzo admitted to having intercourse with an employee in his marked patrol car.

The DA says Brienzo was placed on administrative leave in January and resigned in February. He was arrested in April following a grand jury indictment.

During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, the DA says Brienzo told Judge Ryan Stuart that he "wakes up every morning ashamed" and had "disappointed himself and so many people."

According to the DA, four victims spoke during the sentencing hearing and described the impact of Brienzo's actions.

District Attorney George Brauchler said the sentence reflects the seriousness of abusing the authority granted to a law officer. "Now Brienzo is a registered sex offender who was taken from the courtroom to jail in the kind of cuffs he used to wear on his belt.”

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