DENVER (AP) — Kirsty Shelton and her family were caught off guard when a SWAT team came knocking on their apartment door in search of a man who did not live there. Despite Shelton’s mother’s insistence that they had the wrong address, the officers forcibly escorted Shelton and her young daughters outside at gunpoint, as detailed in a lawsuit filed against the Denver police on Tuesday. Inside the apartment, the officers encountered Shelton’s two daughters, aged 5 and 6, who were startled by the intrusion. Body camera footage from the incident in June 2023 shows the girls being reassured by an officer before they began to cry in distress. The family, including another adult who had just finished showering, was then confined in a police car for an hour while the officers searched the premises, even though they were aware that the suspect lived in a different unit.
According to the lawsuit, the police failed to acknowledge their error and instead denied the wrongful raid ever took place. The family was left shaken by the ordeal, requiring extensive counseling to cope with the trauma inflicted by the officers’ actions. Despite assurances of an investigation, the police have failed to produce a report on the incident, further compounding the family’s distress.
The lawsuit, filed under Colorado’s 2020 police reform law, accuses at least 10 officers of violating the family’s constitutional rights by subjecting them to an unlawful search and excessive force. This legal action follows a similar case where a 78-year-old woman was awarded $3.76 million after her home was mistakenly raided by a SWAT team seeking a stolen truck. The prevalence of such errors has declined in recent years, attributed in part to improved protocols within law enforcement agencies.
Thor Eells, an expert in tactical operations, noted the rarity of SWAT teams entering incorrect locations and emphasized the importance of precision in such high-stakes operations.
During a recent discussion, it was emphasized by the speaker the importance of proper training for law enforcement officers and a shift away from impulsive drug-related actions. However, in situations where police officers may mistakenly target the wrong location during an operation, it is not feasible for them to immediately retreat. The area must be thoroughly searched to ensure the absence of any potential threats, as pointed out by the speaker.
The speaker further explained that once law enforcement officers initiate entry into a location, they are committed to securing the premises for the safety of all parties involved. Refraining from commenting on a specific incident in Denver, the speaker highlighted the necessity of completing the operation to ensure safety.
Experts in tactical operations highlighted the complexities involved in deploying a SWAT team to apprehend a suspect in an apartment building. Challenges such as frequent resident turnover, unclear unit identification, and the potential risk of gunshots penetrating adjacent units make such operations particularly demanding.
When time permits, officers are advised to conduct surveillance, obtain floor plans of the target location, and send a reconnaissance team to assess the situation prior to commencing an operation. This guidance was provided by Mark Lomax, a former executive director of the National Tactical Officers Association and a retired major of the Pennsylvania State Police.
