‹‹ Colorado Matters

25-year Denver Police Department veteran shares career journey, why she filed EEOC complaint

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39min 47sec
Sgt. Carla Havard Denver Police Department
Courtesy Sgt. Carla Havard
Sgt. Carla Havard, a 25-year veteran of the Denver Police Department, joined Colorado Matters to share her career journey in law enforcement and why she filed an EEOC complaint against the department, claiming gender and racial discrimination.

Sgt. Carla Havard, a 25-year veteran of the Denver Police Department, joined us to share her career journey in law enforcement and what she describes as her work to change the culture of policing. She also shares why she, as one of the highest-ranking women and Black people in the department, has filed an EEOC complaint against the department, claiming gender and racial discrimination.

In response to her claims, a spokesman said the Denver Police Department "will respectfully decline commenting on Sgt. Havard's pending complaint," but added they've taken steps to improve the department, including creating the DPD Diversity and Support Bureau, a Racial and Social Justice Academy, a Women's Collective, and a number of community academies that involve community members sharing their perspectives and experiences with DPD. They've also instituted Respectful Workplace Training for employees.