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Albany County Sheriff Defends Deputy

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

A hire made three years ago by the Albany County Sheriff’s department is now coming under increased scrutiny. Deputy Derek Colling was fired by the Las Vegas Police three years ago for beating an unarmed man.

The victim was videotaping Colling during the incident. He was later awarded 100-thousand dollars in a settlement with the Las Vegas Police. Albany County Sheriff Dave O’Malley says that did not affect his decision to hire Colling.

I know how civil litigation is and I've seen officers in the past who were in situations where they were purely in the right

"I know how civil litigation is and I’ve seen officers in the past who were in situations where they were purely in the right. And I’ve seen agencies and insurance carriers and providers settle those claims rather than litigate them in the manner in which I feel they should have been." 

O’Malley also says Colling surpassed all requirements to become a Wyoming officer. The revelation about Colling comes during increased scrutiny of police brutality around the nation.

Jordan Giese is a political science major currently working on his bachelor's degree. He has lived in Wyoming all his life but has a focus on both local issues and international stories. He moved to Laramie just last year rediscovering Wyoming and all it has to offer in landspaces, opportunities and people. He has listened to WPR for years and is thrilled to contribute to an important state service and NPR.
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