Police remove 2 officers from DNC front lines

KUSA - After protesters cited concerns, Denver Police say two police officers who were videotaped beating a 57-year-old man won't be working crowd control during the Democratic National Convention.

Detective Michael Cordova has been placed on desk duty and Detective James Costigan will be doing alternative duty.

"I'm glad because they took two thugs off the street," said Glenn Spagnuolo with Recreate 68. "We feel better about demonstrating now. Because if that's how the officers treated a senior citizen, what would they do to me?"

The Denver Police department met with Recreate 68 and discussed some of the groups concerns, including those about the officers. Spagnuolo said the Denver Police Department assured the protesters that they don't need to be concerned, because both officers have been put on alternative duties.

"Detective Michael Cordova will have a non-line assignment during the DNC in which he will not be "working crowd control," said DPD spokesman Sonny Jackson.

The videotape shows the officers kicking, punching and striking John Heaney in the head during an arrest on April 4th outside of Coors Field. Heaney was riding his bicycle past the stadium on his way to see his dying mother in a nursing home when the officers accused him on running a red light at 20th and Blake Streets.