Rocky Ford Police Release Statement Regarding Fire Chief Conduct in 2022

Description: The Rocky Ford Police Department Released the Following Statement...

Rocky Ford Police Release Statement Regarding Fire Chief Conduct in 2022

The Rocky Ford Police Chief Sean McDonagh, became aware of body worn camera footage in early January, 2024, relating to an incident that occurred on the 200 block of N 5th Street, Rocky Ford, on 4/6/2022. 

The incident was identified during reviews of body worn camera footage from former Officer George Ibarra, as part of ongoing investigations into Ibarra’s conduct while employed at the Rocky Ford Police Department. 

The relating footage shows Ibarra and Rocky Ford Fire Department personnel on scene, at a home that is smoking from the roof. The resident of the home, attempted to enter the home and was appropriately stopped by the Fire Captain, near the door to the home. The resident is directed to leave the area and complies with that direction, walking away from the property, onto the nearby public street.

The footage then shows Rocky Ford Fire Chief Ray Gonzales pursue the male party, while he is actively departing the scene. Chief Gonzales is observed to physically engage with the male party on the street and can be heard raising his voice significantly, using offensive language towards the male party several times, while actively shoving the male party across the public street.

The male party was subsequently arrested by Ibarra and held for some 34 minutes, before being released without charges. 

An investigation was conducted into the matter and several criminal violations of the Colorado Revised Statutes were identified, in addition to the unlawful arrest of the male party.

The 16th Judicial District Attorney was advised and consulted regarding the actions depicting in the footage.  It was determined that the actions of Gonzales did constitute criminal conduct and that charges of harassment, disorderly conduct, official misconduct and official oppression would be pursued, however, as the incident occurred just outside of the 18 month statute of limitations for the respective statutes identified, criminal charges could not be pursued and the criminal investigation was concluded.  

Given the nature of the incident and that a high ranking city public servant was involved, the Rocky Ford Police Department forwarded their findings of criminal conduct and their inability to press charges due to time lapses, along with their recommendations, to the Rocky Ford City Manager and City Attorney, for follow up at city administration level. It has also been referred to several State Government Agencies for their information and any follow up they deem fit.

The body worn camera footage was requested by a member of the public, via the Colorado Open Records Act and was released due to no active criminal investigation and that the incident is in the public interest. News outlets from various locations around Colorado contacted the Rocky Ford Police Department for public comment, after they were made aware of the footage. 

The Rocky Ford Police Department is releasing this press release, to ensure transparency in our agency and to ensure the community that a criminal investigation was conducted into the incident, as soon as it was identified by the Chief of Police and just as it would for any other member of the public. Public servants are not above the law and are held to the same standard as a law enforcement officer. 

The community of Rocky Ford have requested a strong police department that is equitable in its service and this is evidence that we’ll thoroughly investigate all criminal incidents, regardless of the involved party’s position.

**All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law**

Related Content:

Rocky Ford Fire Chief Responds to 2022 Body Cam Altercation

Body Cam Footage from Former RFPD Officer George Ibarra

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