U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez has dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Boulder over the removal of Lisa Sweeney-Miran from the city’s Police Oversight Panel. Sweeney-Miran had argued the city violated her constitutional rights to free speech and due process.
The lawsuit stems from the Boulder City Council’s decision in May 2023 to remove Sweeney-Miran from the panel after some residents alleged she was biased against police. A city-appointed special counsel had determined that the committee responsible for nominating her had failed to properly evaluate candidates for bias. The Police Oversight Panel reviews investigations into complaints against officers.
Sweeney-Miran, executive director of a local homeless shelter and a political organizer, sued the city in January 2024, alleging it violated her First Amendment and due process rights. She later dropped the due process claim. By the time of the latest ruling, her remaining claims alleged the city retaliated against her for publicly criticizing police and for her role in a pending lawsuit seeking to halt enforcement of the city’s camping ban.
Rodriguez dismissed the remaining claims, stating that Sweeney-Miran’s removal would not chill a “person of ordinary firmness” and that she is “free to continue expressing her views on police conduct.” However, Rodriguez suggested Sweeney-Miran’s removal could affect the panel.
“To be sure, Plaintiff’s removal from the POP panel may give future or current POP members pause when publicly addressing police conduct,” Rodriguez wrote.
Sweeney-Miran said she is discussing her options with her legal team. Sarah Huntley, a spokesperson for the city, said the city is pleased with the court’s ruling.