Sarah Schielke: The Legal Dynamo Shaking Up Fort Collins Law Enforcement
In a seismic move that’s sent shockwaves through the Fort Collins law enforcement community, attorney Sarah Schielke has unleashed a barrage of lawsuits against the Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS). The hard-hitting lawyer, renowned for her uncompromising stance on civil rights, has filed five separate suits targeting what she alleges is a disturbing pattern of wrongful DUI arrests by former officer Jason Haferman.
Schielke’s legal offensive comes loaded with damning evidence. She’s made public a trove of materials, including body camera footage, blood test results showing zero alcohol presence, and letters from the District Attorney’s Office. These documents paint a troubling picture of systemic failures within the FCPS, suggesting a misconduct pattern extending beyond a single officer’s actions.
The lawsuits allege that Haferman wrongfully arrested more than 17 people for DUI in just one year. In each case, subsequent blood tests revealed no trace of alcohol, leaving innocent citizens to grapple with the devastating aftermath of false charges. Schielke pulls no punches in describing the toll on her clients, citing job losses, missed promotions, and prolonged emotional turmoil.
But Schielke isn’t just targeting Haferman. Her legal crosshairs are set on the entire chain of command. The suits name Sgt. Allen Heaton, an unnamed corporal, and the City of Fort Collins as defendants. Schielke argues that the wrongful arrests point to a broader failure of supervision and training within the department.
The attorney’s scathing critique extends to FCPS Chief Jeff Swoboda. Schielke accused him of attempting to whitewash the situation, claiming he defended the arrests and misled the public about the reasons for the “non-detected” blood/breath DUI cases. She alleges Swoboda suggested the drivers were under the influence of substances the state lab couldn’t test for, a claim Schielke vehemently disputes.
The lawsuits follow an internal affairs investigation into Haferman’s conduct, which led to his resignation. However, Schielke argues that this action was too little and too late. She claims the investigation only came after mounting public pressure, media scrutiny, and the District Attorney’s refusal to prosecute any more of Haferman’s cases.
Schielke’s legal strategy is aggressive and comprehensive. The lawsuits allege multiple violations of civil rights, including arrest without probable cause, failure to supervise and train, violation of due process, and malicious prosecution. She’s seeking economic and punitive damages for her clients, aiming to hold the department accountable for its alleged misconduct.
The human toll of these alleged wrongful arrests is starkly illustrated in Schielke’s release. She highlights cases where innocent parents were reported to Child Protective Services for potential child abuse simply because their children were in the vehicle during the arrests. These incidents underscore the far-reaching consequences of what Schielke portrays as reckless and unaccountable policing.
Schielke has called for Chief Swoboda’s resignation, underscoring the gravity of her allegations. She argues that his alleged attempts to cover up Haferman’s actions make him unfit to lead the department. Her uncompromising stance reflects a determination to see accountability at all levels of law enforcement.
The FCPS has responded cautiously to Schielke’s legal onslaught. While acknowledging they’ve been notified of the lawsuits, they maintain they haven’t been formally served and thus can’t comment on specifics. The department insists they take all litigation seriously and will review the allegations once officially presented.
Schielke’s crusade against the FCPS highlights the tension between law enforcement practices and civil rights protections. While drunk driving remains a serious concern, Schielke argues that wrongful arrests can be equally destructive to individuals’ lives. Her relentless pursuit of justice for her clients underscores the importance of accountability in law enforcement and the potential consequences when that accountability is lacking.
As this legal battle unfolds, it’s likely to draw significant attention to police practices in Fort Collins and potentially spark broader discussions about DUI enforcement policies and oversight mechanisms within law enforcement agencies. Schielke’s tenacious approach ensures that these issues remain in the spotlight, forcing a public reckoning with the balance between public safety and individual rights.
The outcome of these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for police departments nationwide, potentially setting new standards for accountability and oversight in DUI enforcement. As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes will be on Sarah Schielke and her unyielding fight for justice in Fort Collins.