Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 25, 2026
A Northglenn man said he was “brutalized by police” when he was pulled over in an early-morning stop. He claims an office slammed him face-first into a parking lot on 120th Avenue just east of Interstate 25.
The 32-year-old admits that he should not have been driving — he was asleep in his vehicle at an intersection when he woke up to the sound of a police siren. He had been out drinking earlier that night. He said that after he pulled his car into a restaurant parking lot, officers pulled guns on him and he was yanked from his vehicle.
Police would not speak on-camera with a TV news reporter, but a report filed of the incident indicates officers believed the Northglenn man might be trying to escape when he woke up and drove across the intersection.
The man took a photo of himself later, an image that shows him with a cut over his right eye, and with dried blood and scrapes on his face. The police report also indicates the man was bleeding from his face.
A University of Colorado Denver criminology professor said the incident highlights the need for more body cameras on police officers. While Denver has committed to buying hundreds of cameras, Northglenn officials said there are no plans for the north suburb to buy any.
The man said that since the late August incident, he has trouble eating and sleeping. He added that if officers had worn body cams, people would know who was telling the truth about his early-morning arrest.
We don’t know which version is most accurate, but we do know that body cameras often reveal crucial details about these sorts of encounters. In some similar cases involving charges of excessive force, experienced DUI defense attorneys have been able to negotiate with prosecutors favorable agreements in which charges were dropped or reduced.
What Counts as Excessive Force Under Colorado Law
Colorado law permits officers to use only the amount of force that is objectively reasonable under the circumstances they face. Whether force crosses the line into excessive force is a fact-specific question courts review by weighing the severity of the alleged offense, whether the person posed an immediate threat, and whether the person was actively resisting or attempting to evade arrest. Body-worn camera footage, dash-cam video, medical records, and witness statements are often central to how these questions get resolved.
How Excessive Force Allegations Intersect With a Pending DUI Case
When a person alleges excessive force during a DUI stop, the criminal case against them and any potential civil claim against the department typically move on separate tracks. A defendant can dispute how an arrest was carried out while a DUI or related charge is still pending. Evidence bearing on how a stop and arrest happened, including any use-of-force complaint, can be relevant to how the underlying criminal charges are ultimately resolved, whether at trial, in pretrial motions, or through negotiations with the prosecution.
The Role of Body Cameras and Documentation
Body-worn camera policy varies widely by jurisdiction in Colorado, and gaps in coverage can leave the accuracy of an arrest report open to dispute. Photographs of injuries, medical records from the night of an arrest, and any available video are the kinds of evidence a defense team typically works to preserve early, since footage retention windows and evidence deadlines can be short.
Your Rights During and After a DUI Stop
Anyone stopped on suspicion of DUI in Colorado has the right to remain silent beyond providing basic identifying information, the right to decline voluntary roadside coordination exercises in many circumstances, and the right to legal representation before answering substantive questions about the stop. If you believe an officer used more force than the situation called for, documenting injuries, requesting medical attention, and preserving any available video are steps that can matter later, whether in the criminal case or a separate complaint process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Police Force and DUI Stops
What legal standard determines whether police used excessive force?
Courts generally apply an objective reasonableness standard, weighing the severity of the suspected offense, whether the person posed an immediate threat, and whether the person was resisting or trying to evade arrest, judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the scene.
Can an excessive force complaint affect a pending DUI charge?
It can. Evidence about how a stop and arrest were conducted may be relevant to pretrial motions or negotiations in the underlying criminal case, even though a use-of-force complaint and the criminal charge are typically handled through different processes.
Do all Colorado police departments require body cameras?
Body camera policies vary by department and jurisdiction across Colorado. Coverage, retention periods, and public release rules are not uniform statewide, which can affect what footage is available after an incident.
What should someone do if they believe they were injured during an arrest?
Seeking medical attention, documenting visible injuries with photographs, and requesting any available body camera or dash camera footage as early as possible can help preserve evidence that may otherwise be lost or overwritten.
Do I still need a DUI defense if I also have a police conduct concern?
Yes. A concern about how an arrest was carried out does not replace the need to address the underlying charge directly, since the two issues are generally evaluated through separate legal processes.
If you are facing a DUI or related charge and have questions about how your arrest was conducted, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. can review the police report, available video, and other evidence in your case. Learn more about our Denver criminal defense practice or contact our office to discuss your situation.
About the Attorney
Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Shazam Kianpour is a Denver criminal defense attorney who has handled thousands of criminal and traffic cases across Colorado, including DUI and use-of-force related matters. He previously served as a Colorado State Public Defender and is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.