Colorado Police Union President Suspended Over Absurd Email Ranting About 'Diversity Hires'

The head of one of Aurora's Police Unions in Colorado was placed on administrative leave with pay after writing an email to hundreds of officers in which he complained about diversity goals.

Police Union President Doug Wilkinson penned a scathing rant after the City of Aurora agreed to improve policing and public safety.

The agreement reached with the Colorado Attorney General was a result of an investigation looking into racially biased practices of the city's police department.

The 14-month long investigation found that excessive force was used on Black residents 2.5 times more than White residents, and Black residents were prone to get arrested 1.3 times more frequently than White residents.

The "consent decree" implemented by the Colorado AG mandated better hiring and training practices.

According to CBS 4, Wilkinson's email in response to the reform provisions read:

"To match the 'diversity' of 'the community' we could make sure to hire 10% illegal aliens, 50% weed smokers, 10% crackheads, and a few child molesters and murderers to round it out."

"You know, so we can make the department look like the 'community.'"

You can watch a news clip, below.

Aurora Police Union President Suspended Over Diversity Email youtu.be

Wilkinson's letter continued:

"The decree indicates that they want to replace as many of the department's white males as possible with as many women and minorities."

"It's as simple as that. To do that they are going to hire and promote non- whites and non-males wherever they can."

He also said the decree embraced by the city was "literally systematically sexist and racist."

Lieutenant Chris Amsler, an aide to Chief Vanessa Wilson, told the news station several officers complained to human resources about the letter.

Said Amsler:

"We have seen the letter. Chief Wilson is very concerned about the allegations that have been brought forth by several concerned and courageous employees."

"Due to the sensitive nature of this on-going investigation we can not discuss this case further."

"We would like to remind the media and our community that the Aurora Police Association does not speak for the Aurora Police Department nor are they the recognized bargaining unit with the City of Aurora."

Wilkinson told CBS 4 his letter was a "private email message to the members" and was not meant to be disseminated to the public.

"I'm trying to have an honest conversation," he said, without it becoming a "word salad."

The investigation looking into the Aurora Police and Fire Departments was prompted by the 2019 death of Elijah McClaine.

The 23-year-old Black massage therapist was confronted by police responding to a call about an unarmed man wearing a ski mask and looking "sketchy."

Three officers placed McClaine in a carotid hold with his hands handcuffed behind his back.

Later, two paramedics injected him with a lethal dose of ketamine to sedate him.

He went into cardiac arrest at the scene and was taken to the hospital where he was declared brain dead and taken off life support.

McClaine was never suspected of any crime.

The three officers and two paramedics involved in the death of McClaine were handed a 32-count indictment, which included charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.