Colorado Springs City Council hears intense debate about police advisory committee nominee
Screen grab, City Council livestream
Verbal barbs flew Tuesday at the Colorado Springs City Council meeting over the qualifications of a potential appointee to a police advisory committee.
The council voted 7-2 to reject the nomination of Tymm Hoffman to fill a seat on the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission after hearing arguments in support calling him a fierce advocate for social justice and arguments against him for being un-American and anti-police.
Instead, City Council appointed former Naval officer, Johnathan Williams, to a seat on the 11-member commission.
In 2020, members of the public called for greater police accountability and steps such as banning the use of chokeholds and launching independent investigations of police officers accused of violence outside work.
The city set up an advisory committee charged with promoting improved understanding and relationships between the Police Department and the public.
Councilman David Leinweber was among those who opposed the nomination of Hoffman, saying that he works hard to separate his personal and political life — but he didn’t think that would be possible for Hoffman if he were to have a spot on the commission.
He also said that the board needed to work on critical current issues for the police.
“LETAC needs to be an advocate for our police force, not only a accountability force,” he said. “We have declining morale in our police force that is astronomical.”
Councilwoman Yolanda Avila, however, pointed out that other members of the board have strong ties to the police. Board member Sherryl Dillon is the executive director of the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association.
Other members include Chris Burns, a recently retired police officer, and Rachael Flick, the widow of an El Paso County sheriff’s deputy killed in action.
Avila noted that the commission has become less diverse since its inception and Hoffman would add to the conversation.
“We don’t have his experience and viewpoint,” she said.
Hoffman, who adopted his children from Ethiopia, is outspoken on social media with his concerns about police, but he told the council he does not hate them.
“I believe we are capable and worth more than we are putting forth,” Hoffman said, referring to policing.
Those who argued against appointing him called Hoffman a disrespectful and immature person, pointing to some of his statements on social media to prove their point.
Former District 49 school board member Ivy Liu said appointing him would be “asinine,” saying he was anti-American and anti-police.
Other concerns, some voiced in terms not fit for print, were also shared.
In a post about getting selected for an interview, Hoffman posted a meme with the following statement over a police car with flashing lights.
“You were put here to protect us, but who protects us from you?”
The city has settled several high-profile cases involving police violence in recent years.
In May, the city paid $2.1 million to settle a case brought by a Black man who alleged he was beaten by police during a traffic stop in October 2022.
The appointed Williams, who will be a voting member of the board, said he is a supporter of law enforcement. He also said some concerns about law enforcement are valid.
“If you’re gonna take care of the community, you need to get out there, learn the community, understand the community,” he said.
Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazette.com or (719) 429-9264.
Colorado Springs City Council hears intense debate about police advisory committee nominee
Verbal barbs flew Tuesday at the Colorado Springs City Council meeting over the qualifications of a potential appointee to a police advisory committee.
The council voted 7-2 to reject the nomination of Tymm Hoffman to fill a seat on the Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission after hearing arguments in support calling him a fierce advocate for social justice and arguments against him for being un-American and anti-police.
Instead, City Council appointed former Naval officer, Johnathan Williams, to a seat on the 11-member commission.
In 2020, members of the public called for greater police accountability and steps such as banning the use of chokeholds and launching independent investigations of police officers accused of violence outside work.
The city set up an advisory committee charged with promoting improved understanding and relationships between the Police Department and the public.
Councilman David Leinweber was among those who opposed the nomination of Hoffman, saying that he works hard to separate his personal and political life — but he didn’t think that would be possible for Hoffman if he were to have a spot on the commission.
He also said that the board needed to work on critical current issues for the police.
“LETAC needs to be an advocate for our police force, not only a accountability force,” he said. “We have declining morale in our police force that is astronomical.”
Councilwoman Yolanda Avila, however, pointed out that other members of the board have strong ties to the police. Board member Sherryl Dillon is the executive director of the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association.
Other members include Chris Burns, a recently retired police officer, and Rachael Flick, the widow of an El Paso County sheriff’s deputy killed in action.
Avila noted that the commission has become less diverse since its inception and Hoffman would add to the conversation.
“We don’t have his experience and viewpoint,” she said.
Hoffman, who adopted his children from Ethiopia, is outspoken on social media with his concerns about police, but he told the council he does not hate them.
“I believe we are capable and worth more than we are putting forth,” Hoffman said, referring to policing.
Those who argued against appointing him called Hoffman a disrespectful and immature person, pointing to some of his statements on social media to prove their point.
Former District 49 school board member Ivy Liu said appointing him would be “asinine,” saying he was anti-American and anti-police.
Other concerns, some voiced in terms not fit for print, were also shared.
In a post about getting selected for an interview, Hoffman posted a meme with the following statement over a police car with flashing lights.
“You were put here to protect us, but who protects us from you?”
The city has settled several high-profile cases involving police violence in recent years.
In May, the city paid $2.1 million to settle a case brought by a Black man who alleged he was beaten by police during a traffic stop in October 2022.
The appointed Williams, who will be a voting member of the board, said he is a supporter of law enforcement. He also said some concerns about law enforcement are valid.
“If you’re gonna take care of the community, you need to get out there, learn the community, understand the community,” he said.
Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazette.com or (719) 429-9264.