Today, July 3rd, 2020, Interim Chief Vanessa Wilson announced the termination of three employees after the internal investigation determined their involvement with selfie photographs taken at the memorial site for Elijah McClain on October 20th, 2019.
Chief Wilson terminated Erica Marrero, Kyle Dittrich, and Jason Rosenblatt. Former employee, Jaron Jones, resigned on June 30th, 2020 prior to the pre-disciplinary hearing.
Chief Wilson was made aware of the allegation on Thursday, June 25th, 2020 after an uninvolved officer saw the photo and reported it to a supervisor. The involved officers were immediately placed on Administrative Leave and an Internal Affairs Investigation was initiated.
Chief Wilson understands the devastating impact this incident has had on the relationship between the community and the Department. She believes that transparency is paramount in beginning to rebuild that relationship. Therefore, Internal Affairs File 20-25 can be found by clicking HERE.
PRESS CONFERENCE
TWITTER LIVE STREAM
PRESS PACKET
PICTURE 1
PICTURE 2
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WHAT: Press Conference Reference Photo Investigation Update
WHEN: July 3rd, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Aurora Municipal Center, Aurora Room
WHO: Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson
CONTACT: Detective Faith Goodrich, Public Information Officer, Media Relations Unit, 720.432.5095
This press conference will be held in the Aurora Municipal Building Aurora Room, which is a secure facility. The media is asked to arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. and to bring your media credentials for admittance. See the parking map and use Visitor Parking Lot B. Call the on-call PIO number when you arrive and a representative of the Media Relations Unit will escort you into the building. The event will be live-streamed on Twitter (@AuroraPD).
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, we ask that everyone wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines. Due to these restrictions we can only allow one pool video camera, one pool still camera at this event, and only one reporter per media outlet. Members of the media who plan on attending, please RSVP to [email protected].
Agent Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
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Information previously released on June 29th, 2020
Please see below statement from Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson:
"Thursday afternoon, I was apprised of allegations reported to Internal Affairs by an Aurora Police Officer alleging multiple Aurora Police officers were depicted in photographs near the site where Elijah McClain died. All involved officers were immediately placed on administrative leave with pay in non-enforcement capacities.
I immediately ordered Internal Affairs to make this investigation their top priority. This accelerated investigation was completed this evening.
This investigation will be publicly released in its entirety promptly upon its conclusion. This will include reports, photographic evidence obtained, officer’s names, and my final determination which can rise to the level of termination."
Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson