Seven Denver police officers are suing the city over the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, claiming that Mayor Michael Hancock, Police Chief Paul Pazen, and the Department of Public Health and Environment cannot enforce the order legally.
The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) issued a health order on August 2 that requires people in certain jobs to be vaccinated by September 30. Denver Police officers are included, and the requirement was put in place by Chief Paul Pazen, who is named in the lawsuit.
According to 9News, the suit was filed by the seven officers listed below.
- Dewayne Rodgers
- Jonathan Christian
- Bart Stark
- Rich Ziegler
- Nick Elliott
- David Curtiss
- Les Tucker
“During the pandemic, each of these Plaintiffs loyally worked the front lines, yet now, they are precipitously placed on the edge of unemployment,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and a review of the vaccine requirement, which it claims is illegal due to the vaccines’ “still experimental” status. In August, the FDA granted full approval to Pfizer’s vaccine.
