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Deputy Won't Get Job Back After Prisoner Abuse

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Oct 22, 2009 11:55 am US/Mountain

Deputy Won't Get Job Back After Prisoner Abuse

DENVER (CBS4) ― Denver's Career Service Board ruled that a sheriff's deputy should not get her job back after she was caught on tape roughing up a female prisoner.

Deputy Sharmaine Norman-Curry had appealed her firing saying the force she used was, "a reasonable response."

But, last month, the Career Service Board upheld an earlier decision and said Norman-Curry had not justified her use of force.

"Well, we're delighted with the opinion," said Bill Lovingier, Denver's Director of Corrections. "The behavior goes against the core values of the sheriff's department."

A CBS4 investigation obtained the jail videotape under a Colorado Open Records Act request.

The incident occurred inside the jail October 28, 2007 and was captured by a surveillance camera. The video shows a woman who has been arrested, Jannie Barizonte, arguing with the deputy. Other law enforcement officers appeared to have a solid hold on Barizonte's arms, so she couldn't move or defend herself.

The tape does not have any audio. Deputy Norman-Curry earlier testified that she told Barizonte,"Don't disrespect me in my house."

When Barizonte continued arguing, Norman-Curry could be seen grabbing Barizonte's head and repeatedly smashing it into a plexiglass divider.

"It's shocking, shocking," said Corrections Director Lovingier.

In a written opinion, the city called the deputies' actions, "punitive… personal abuse."

Norman-Curry claimed her actions were appropriate and that she was just trying to gain control of Barizonte.

Messages left for Norman-Curry at her Denver home were not returned.

The city paid Jannie Barizonte $67,000 to settle her claims over the incident.

Corrections Director Lovingier contends the firing of the deputy shows,"We do respond and are accountable for the actions of our people."

Additional Resources

See the jail video obtained by CBS4.

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