DENVER SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

INTERNAL AFFAIRS BUREAU

CASE SUMMARY
Case: S2018-0043
INCIDENT:
On January 26, 2018 Major Guerrero was notified by Captain Juranek of an
incident that occurred on January 23, 2018 in Building 20 at the County Jail. GED
volunteer Ms. Graham had informed Officer Kemble that Inmate
CD#810415 was making statements that he wanted to hang himself. Allegedly
Officer Kemble made the comment to Ms. Graham regarding Inmate that
"He will have to reach out on his own".

INVESTIGATION:
Included with this case are documents and video containing a variety of
information. For a complete understanding of this case, it is necessary that all documents
and video be reviewed in their entirety.

SUMMATION:

On January 23, 2018 at approximately 2020 hours, GED Volunteer member Becky
Graham was in Building 20 second floor with Inmate Brian CD#810415.
Inmate had disclosed to Ms. Graham that he wanted to hang himself
several times. Once Inmate left the area, Ms. Graham notified Officer
Kemble assigned to Building 20 2nd floor. Officer Kemble allegedly stated that the
inmate would have to reach out on his own and no action was taken by the officer.

On January 25, 2018 Ms. Graham spoke to Sergeant Bowen about the incident.
Once Sergeant Bowen was finished speaking to Ms. Graham he immediately
escorted Inmate to been seen by Nurse Brenna and placed on the
psychology line.

Sergeant Bowen responded to Officer Kemble who was assigned to main corridor
security. Sergeant Bowen asked Officer Kemble if a civilian had told him that an
inmate was suicidal on Tuesday (Jan. 23). Officer Kemble had stated “yes”. Officer
Kemble was asked why he didn’t do anything, and his response was he didn’t really
know what to do since the inmate had not directly talked to him. Officer Kemble
and Sergeant Bowen’s conversation was interrupted, Sergeant Bowen informed
Officer Kemble that they would speak later.
Later in the day on January 25, Sergeant Bowen summoned Officer Kemble to the
Captains’ office. Officer Kemble responded with Officer Jerome Gonzales as his
representative. In the office was Captain Juranek, Sergeant Bowen, Officer Kemble
and Officer Gonzales. Sergeant Bowen had asked Officer Kemble if he had made
the comment to Ms. Graham that Inmate would have to get help on his
own. Officer Kemble denied saying the comment and denied having a conversation
with Ms. Graham.

Sergeant Bowen was confused since earlier in the corridor, Officer Kemble had
confirmed that Ms. Graham had informed him of the suicidal inmate. Officer Kemble
stated that Ms. Graham didn’t have a conversation she only made a hand gesture
that he wanted to hang himself and didn’t know what inmate she was referring to.
Sergeant Bowen reveled the conversation between Ms. Graham and himself and
how she stated that she told Officer Kemble that Inmate wanted to hang
himself and Officer Kemble stated he would have to request help on his own.
Sergeant Bowen asked Officer Kemble if this was true, Officer Kemble stated that
he did not know and that is was possible, but that he had no memory of it. Officer
Kemble then stated that if he had messed up, he would take responsibility for it.
Captain Juranek asked Officer Kemble why he had not followed up on the given
hand signal. Officer Kemble stated that he did not know and that he should have.

Interviews

On February 06, 2018 at 1802 hours, Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Becky Graham
GED Instructor at the County Jail. Ms. Graham was informed of the complaint filed with
IAB.

Ms. Graham stated that she informed Officer Kemble she had been talking to Inmate
and he had made the comment several times that he wanted to hang himself,
Ms. Graham asked Officer Kemble if they had counseling for inmates. Ms. Graham stated
Officer Kemble said they would have to reach out themselves for counseling. Ms. Graham
told him again that Inmate wanted to hang himself, Officer Kemble responded
that the inmate would have to reach out himself.

Ms. Graham is shown footage of the incident.

Ms. Graham stated that Inmate told her approximately 8 times that he wanted
to hang himself. She was asked if Officer Kemble make the comment that he would get
the inmate help or notify a supervisor. Ms. Graham stated, no. Ms. Graham ultimately
informed Avid Blankenship, who then informed DSD Staff. Ms. Graham stated she felt
after talking to Officer Kemble and informing him of the comment that nothing was going
to happen.

End of interview.

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On February 16, 2018 at 1458 hours, Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Sergeant
Bowen S05068. Sergeant Bowen completed the Garrity prior to the interview. Sergeant
Bowen chose not to have a representative present.

Sergeant Bowen was briefed on the incident.

Sergeant Bowen was asked when he first talked to Officer Kemble did he admit knowing
that Inmate was suicidal. Sergeant Bowen stated that Officer Kemble admitted
to having knowledge of Inmate making a suicidal comment, but didn’t admit that
Ms. Graham informed him.

Sergeant Bowen was asked, if it was still true that Officer Kemble denied making the
comment “have to reach out on his own” and denied having a conversation regarding
Inmate with Ms. Graham as per Sergeant Bowen’s memo to Captain Juranek.
Sergeant Bowen stated, yes.

Sergeant Bowen was asked what information Ms. Graham, relayed to him about Inmate
Sergeant Bowen stated she told him that Inmate was going to kill
himself, and that she walked out and told the deputy working the desk of the comment,
the officer stated that Inmate would have to reach out for help himself.

Sergeant Bowen stated that he took Inmate to be seen by medical and then
returned to Ms. Graham to clarify the comments by Officer Kemble, she confirmed them.

On March 29, 2018 at 1500 hours Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Sergeant Bowen
S05068. Sergeant Bowen was reminded he was still under Garrity. Sergeant Bowen
chose not to have a representative present.

Sergeant Bowen was asked when he first approached Officer Kemble in the corridor, if
anyone else was present for the conversation. Sergeant Bowen stated, no. Sergeant
Bowen was asked what exactly he asked Officer Kemble in the corridor. Sergeant Bowen
stated he didn’t remember the exact words, his intent was to find out if he was aware of
the inmate who was suicidal, and Officer Kemble’s response appeared that he was.

Sergeant Bowen could not recall what he exactly asked Officer Kemble, he thinks he may
have asked if the civilian had told Officer Kemble about the suicidal inmate. Sergeant
Bowen was asked how much time passed from the first conversation with Officer Kemble
to when they had the meeting in the Captains’ office. Sergeant Bowen stated about 45
minutes to an hour. Sergeant Bowen was asked what he asked Officer Kemble the
second time in the office. Sergeant Bowen stated he directly asked Officer Kemble
whether or not Becky Graham told him the inmate was going to hang himself “did the
civilian tell you that he was suicidal”, that’s when Officer Kemble denied the conversation.

Sergeant Bowen was asked if this was a different answer from what Officer Kemble told
him in the corridor, Sergeant Bowen stated he felt it was a completely different answer,
in the corridor it was clear Officer Kemble had knowledge that the inmate was suicidal
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and Sergeant Bowen asked why he didn’t do anything about it and Officer Kemble’s
response was “he didn’t know what to do”. Sergeant Bowen then asked Officer Kemble
why would it be any different if the inmate had told himself.

Sergeant Bowen was asked if he had any reason to believe that Becky was mistaken
when she told Officer Kemble that the inmate was suicidal, Sergeant Bowen stated
absolutely not after watching the video it was clear they had a conversation to him.
Sergeant Bowen was asked would there be any reason why she would lie to him,
Sergeant Bowen stated, no. Sergeant Bowen was asked would there be any reason for
her to lie about the comment Officer Kemble made about “have to reach out on his own”,
Sergeant Bowen stated, no she was legitimately concerned about the inmates welfare
and nothing had been done.

Sergeant Bowen was asked about the portion of the video when Becky and Officer
Kemble appear to be talking (20:26:38), did he think he was just standing there not talking.
Sergeant Bowen stated he could see her mouth moving and made the noose sign twice
while having the conversation. Sergeant Bowen was asked if he believed that Becky told
Officer Kemble that the inmate was suicidal, Sergeant Bowen stated, yes absolutely.

Sergeant Bowen was asked about the last two paragraphs of his memo, if they were still
true. Sergeant Bowen stated yes.

End of interview.

On February 27, 2018 at 0948 hours Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Captain Juranek
S00017. Captain Juranek completed the Garrity prior to the interview. Captain Juranek
chose not to have a representation present.

Captain Juranek was briefed on the incident.

Captain Juranek stated that Officer Kemble kept going back and forth on what he
remembered and what he didn’t, and that Officer Kemble stated he would take
responsibility for his actions.

Captain Juranek stated that he was trying to find out if the incident happened and if it did
happen, why no action took place after the conversation regarding Inmate
comment about being suicidal.

On February 15, 2018 at 1302 hours. Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Officer Kemble
S08018. Jordan Lubeck was present for Officer Kemble. Officer Kemble completed the
Garrity prior to the interview.

Officer Kemble was briefed on the complaint and asked if he recalled the incident. Officer
Kemble stated, yes.

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Officer Kemble was asked to explain what he recalled. Officer Kemble stated it was GED
time in building 20 second floor. Officer Kemble stated he was sitting at the officer’s desk,
it was the end of class time and the GED teacher (Ms. Graham) and inmate (Inmate
were in the pod (classroom) both parties exited the classroom and the inmate
left. Officer Kemble stated that the GED teacher came out and made a sign like the inmate
was going to hang himself, “and I was like okay, thank you”. Officer Kemble stated
someone dropped the ball and didn’t follow through on it because he wasn’t on the privy
on the conversation.

Officer Kemble was asked when Ms. Graham made the gesture that Inmate
wanted to hang himself, was there any conversation between you and her. Officer Kemble
stated that “there was no conversation between that, on what she meant by that”. Officer
Kemble stated he never followed up on the gesture. Officer Kemble was asked if he ever
made the comment “he needs to reach out on his own”, Officer Kemble stated if he did,
he didn’t remember. Officer Kemble was asked if he ever notified a supervisor or medical
staff, Officer Kemble stated, “no I didn’t, I dropped the ball on that one”.

Officer Kemble was shown video of the incident.

Officer Kemble is asked if he and Ms. Graham are talking in the video and if she is saying
anything to him. Officer Kemble stated, “I think so”. Officer Kemble was asked when Ms.
Graham makes the hanging gesture was she saying anything to you about the inmate
wanting to hang himself. Officer Kemble stated no, she just made the gesture. Officer
Kemble was asked if he ever questioned it or comment on it. Officer Kemble stated
“honestly, I didn’t follow through on that”.

Officer Kemble was asked if he remembered what Ms. Graham was saying when she
walked up to the officer’s desk after throwing away some trash, Officer Kemble stated no,
not on that. Officer Kemble was asked what about the first time she walked up to his desk,
Officer Kemble stated, “Um I think she might, man I wish I could remember that, trying to
think. Honestly I really don’t remember what she was talking about”.

Officer Kemble was asked if the inmate looked like he was upset or if he had been crying.
Officer Kemble stated no, didn’t look like anything out of the norm.

Officer Kemble was asked if he was familiar with department order 5410 on suicidal
inmates. Officer Kemble stated yes. Officer Kemble stated he realized that and he
dropped the ball on that.

On April 04, 2018 at 1517 hours Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Officer Kemble.
Jordan Lubeck was present for Officer Kemble, Officer Kemble was reminded he is still
under Garrity.

Officer Kemble was asked about him and Sergeant Bowen meeting in the corridor, there
was a conversation that took place between him and the Sergeant, Officer Kemble was
asked if he recalled what Sergeant Bowen had asked him. Officer Kemble stated that
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Sergeant Bowen had asked if he was involved in an incident, Officer Kemble stated he
was. Officer Kemble stated that Sergeant Bowen asked him if he had a discussion with
the GED teacher, Officer Kemble stated that yes, he did. Officer Kemble stated that he
can’t exactly remember what happened.

Officer Kemble was asked in the meeting in the Captains’ office, what was the
conversation about. Officer Kemble stated they wanted to talk about what happened with
the GED teacher. Officer Kemble stated that he told them that the GED teacher made the
noose gesture and didn’t say anything about the inmate being suicidal or nothing like that.
Officer Kemble stated he was asked about the suicidal policy and he admitted to “dropping
the ball on that”, and that he should have followed up with a supervisor or sent the inmate
to medical.

Officer Kemble was asked if his response was different from the corridor conversation to
the meeting in the captains’ office. Officer Kemble stated, no I told them I was there and
that she did say something to me about an inmate, I didn’t go into detail.

Officer Kemble was asked in the Captain’s meeting what did Sergeant Bowen ask, did he
raise concern on what inmate had said. Officer Kemble stated “I told him that
he didn’t talk to me, I just talked…, I didn’t talk to the inmate. I just talked to the um to the
GED teacher”. Officer Kemble stated that the conversation between him and the GED
teacher was about her making the noose gesture, “that’s all she said to me, she didn’t
say anything about him being, verbally, didn’t saying anything about being suicidal
nothing like that”.

Officer Kemble was asked about an alleged comment about the inmate having to reach
out on his own, Officer Kemble didn’t recall the conversation. Officer Kemble was sked if
he made the comment that the inmate would have to reach out on his own, Officer Kemble
stated, not that he remembered. Officer Kemble was asked what the working relationship
with Becky, Officer Kemble stated its always been pleasant and that he’s cordial. Officer
Kemble agreed it was a serious allegation about the alleged comment.

Officer Kemble was shown video of building 20 again and asked if he recalls any of the
words Becky Graham was saying, Officer Kemble stated, no I don’t. Officer Kemble was
asked from 20:26:38 to 20:26:56 he didn’t recall anything she was saying, Officer Kemble
stated not off the top of my head, might have been about I don’t know what we
were talking about.

End of interview.

On March 22, 2018 at 1436 hours Sergeant Szumowski interviewed Avis Blankenship
at the County Jail, Building 20. Avis was asked what information did Becky relay to her
about Inmate and the interaction between the Officer. Avis stated Becky came
to her office, the incident had been on her mind and that Brian told her
approximately 8 times that he wanted to hang himself. Becky told Avis that it was enough
concern that she had told the officer that the inmate wanted to hang himself several times,
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and the officer’s response was the inmates have to reach out on their own. Avis was
asked if Becky told the officer the inmate wanted to hurt himself, Avis stated, yeah hang
himself. Avis was asked once notified of the incident what steps did she take after. , Avis
stated she found a Sergeant and had him come to her office to speak to Becky about the
incident, the Sergeant then pulled the inmate to be seen by medical.

Video

1. Building 20 G Entry Door January 23, 2018

Inmate and Ms. Graham are in the classroom towards the end of the
GED session. It appears Inmate and Ms. Graham are talking while Ms.
Graham is closing for the night. Inmate appears to wipe his eyes several
times as If he’s crying. During the conversation between Ms. Graham and Inmate
Inmate makes a gesture as if he is going to hang himself
several times, Inmate appears to be upset. The two appear to talk in the
doorway of the pod, then exit.

2. Building 20 2nd Fl Officers Desk January 23, 2018

Officer Kemble is sitting at the officer’s desk. Inmate and Ms. Graham
are in G Pod talking. Inmate and Ms. Graham exit the pod, Inmate
works his way down to the first floor out of camera view. Ms. Graham
stays and appears conversate back and forth with Officer Kemble, Ms. Graham
makes a hanging gesture in front of Officer Kemble then walks to thrown away
some trash then returns and appears to talk to Officer Kemble then makes her way
down to the first floor. Officer Kemble makes a round and secures the pods.

3. Building 20 2nd Fl S View Officers Desk January 23, 2018

Same footage as above, different view.

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