Colorado criminal charge
Duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals in Colorado
Duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-8-802. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-8-802.
What is the penalty for duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Failure to report use of excessive force — A peace officer who fails to report another officer's or law enforcement animal's use of excessive physical force as required by subsection (1) commits this offense.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Failure to report use of excessive force — A peace officer who fails to report another officer's or law enforcement animal's use of excessive physical force as required by subsection (1) commits this offense.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Failure to intervene to prevent unlawful use of force — A peace officer who fails to intervene to prevent another officer's or law enforcement animal handler's use of excessive physical force as required by subsection (1.5) commits this offense.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Failure to intervene to prevent unlawful use of force — A peace officer who fails to intervene to prevent another officer's or law enforcement animal handler's use of excessive physical force as required by subsection (1.5) commits this offense.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to report use of excessive force | class 2 misdemeanor | A peace officer who fails to report another officer's or law enforcement animal's use of excessive physical force as required by subsection (1) commits this offense. | 18-8-802(1)(c) |
| Failure to intervene to prevent unlawful use of force | class 1 misdemeanor | A peace officer who fails to intervene to prevent another officer's or law enforcement animal handler's use of excessive physical force as required by subsection (1.5) commits this offense. | 18-8-802(1.5)(d) |
Common questions about duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals in Colorado
Is duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals ranges from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-8-802.
Failure to report use of excessive force: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-8-802(1)(c)) · Failure to intervene to prevent unlawful use of force: class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-8-802(1.5)(d))
What are the penalties for duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals in Colorado?
Penalties for duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 2 misdemeanor up to a class 1 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals?
Duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals is governed by C.R.S. § 18-8-802 (Duty to report use of force by peace officers or law enforcement animals - duty to intervene).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.