Calling the killing of Christian Glass a “reprehensible act” that should never happen again, the Clear Creek County commissioners announced  a mental health crisis co-responder program. The pilot program will be implemented this summer.

In addition, the commissioners said in a statement read at their meeting on June 6 that: “The board does not believe that the sheriff has adequately accepted responsibility for his central role in this tragedy or the need to swiftly correct all of the gaps in training and protocols that existed at the time of Christian’s death."

Glass, 22, was facing a mental health crisis when he was shot to death by a Clear Creek deputy in Silver Plume on June 10-11, 2022. The case recently led to a $19-million legal settlement between the family and four agencies, the largest of its kind known in Colorado history.

Sally and Simon Glass, Christian’s parents, applauded the commissioners in a statement and expressed hope “the senseless and preventable use of force” that resulted in Christian’s death never happens again.

In addition, their statement, provided by the Rathod-Mohamedbhai law firm in Denver, called for county Sheriff Rick Albers’ resignation:  “Sheriff Albers' refusal to accept any personal responsibility for this unjustifiable loss of life demonstrates a lack of leadership and a disregard for the trust placed in him by the community. Sally and Simon Glass join the board in condemning Sheriff Albers' conduct and call for his resignation."

The statement continued: “By resigning, Sheriff Albers can begin to acknowledge and take responsibility for the failures that occurred under his watch. Only then can we begin to rebuild the shattered trust between law enforcement and the community they are sworn to protect.”

Alberts  declined to comment to the Clear Creek Courant.

Albers has been with the department since 1980 and was first elected sheriff in 2014. He most recently ran unopposed  in November 2022 and is set to serve until 2026.

Christian Glass was stranded in his car and called 911 for help, saying he was trapped. Officers asked Glass to leave his car, but he refused in what turned into a standoff that ended when officers broke the car window and used a Taser on Christian. Then, Deputy Andrew Buen shot Christian, killing him. Buen and another officer, Kyle Gould, were later fired and are facing charges, including second-degree murder. They are slated to be back in court on June 21.

County board’s statement

“The Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners completely supports the Glass family’s efforts to ensure that events such as the killing of Christian will never be repeated,” the county board’s statement said. “The board has always supported law enforcement and greatly appreciates the commitment of Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office deputies and staff.”

The statement continues that the county board will do all it can within its authority to accomplish reforms that enable Albers to better focus on public safety and justice.

The county will pay for the mental health crisis co-responder program with grant funds. The county also is pursuing a partnership with another organization that already has extensive experience with co-responder programs, training and protocols, so law enforcement can differentiate between mental-health crises and public-safety concerns.

“We understand that no amount of money can bring Christian back or ease his family's pain,” the statement said.

Background

On May 24, Gov. Jared Polis apologized to Simon and Sally Glass, then declared May 24 Christian Glass Day and displayed Glass’ artwork that is being hung in the Capitol.

“What happened to Christian should not have happened,” Polis told Christian's parents in a live-streamed statement. “We are going to do the best we can to avoid any parents going through what you have gone through.”

Polis’ announcement came a day after four involved agencies reached the multi-million-dollar settlement with the family. Under the settlement, Clear Creek County will pay $10 million; $5 million will come from Georgetown; $3 million from the state of Colorado; and $1 million from Idaho Springs. It is the largest known single payout for police violence in the state’s history.

More about Christian

Christian was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. His mother, Sally Glass,  is of British decent, and his father, Simon Glass, is from New Zealand. The Glass family relocated to California when Christian was 10 and eventually moved to Boulder, Colorado.

“Christian had an array of specialties and interests," a statement from family attorneys said. "He was an avid tennis fan and player, a trained chef who loved to cook, and also a self-taught artist with an innate gift. Christian used many mediums to make his art, but the majority of his pieces involved oil painting and oil pencil.”

More about the settlement

The Clear Creek Sheriff’s Office has agreed to train and certify all its patrol officers in crisis intervention.

The Colorado State Patrol is expected to develop a virtual reality training based on Glass’ death, with “a focus on de-escalation in a high-stress situation.”

And, Clear Creek County has agreed to dedicate a public park to Glass, which will be selected in consultation with his parents. 

While Albers did not comment on the statement from county commissioners, on May 23  a statement from him  acknowledged “that his officers failed to meet expectations in their response to Christian Glass when he called for assistance,” calling events on the night of Glass' death “disturbing.”

“The sheriff has undertaken measures intended to prevent a future failure,” a statement in the wake of the settlement announcement read. “He has been working with partners to establish a program of county-wide crisis response. “

Albers also acknowledged that the initial press release describing events surrounding Glass’ death “did not give an accurate description of what occurred.”

“Rather, as stated in the conclusion of the investigative report subsequently issued by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office after an independent review requested by Sheriff Albers, the deputy who killed Christian Glass used lethal force that 'was not consistent with that of a reasonable officer,'" the statement read.

Georgetown said its officers have been attending courses in intensive crisis intervention responses and are participating in a "countywide co-responder program that allows for the presence of a mental health professional and paramedic tandem to assist law enforcement in future settings."

Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon has said that city "leadership remains committed to the constant self-evaluation and betterment of the (Idaho Springs Police Department) in all ways.”

Idaho Springs also "continues to work collaboratively with the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, which has a licensed clinician ride with an officer/deputy each week for community outreach."

Idaho Springs police are also continuing to develop a mental health co-responder program within Clear Creek County.