The former executive director of Denver’s Civil Service Commission, Niecy Murray, filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging she was fired in retaliation after speaking publicly about the lowering of standards for new police academy recruits.

“My decision to file this lawsuit was not made lightly,” Murray said in a statement issued by her attorney Andy McNulty. “No one should have to endure discrimination or retaliation for doing the right thing. This moment is about more than me; it’s about exposing the systems that silence, punish, and discredit Black women when we speak up. Mayor Johnston’s administration has created a culture where fear and retaliation thrive, where those who challenge wrongdoing are punished, and those who stay silent are rewarded. That culture must change.”

In late 2023, Murray said she observed growing pressure from Mayor Mike Johnston’s office to accelerate the hiring of more Denver Police Department officers and Denver Fire Department firefighters, according to court documents.

Murray claims the pressure led to lowered hiring and promotional standards, putting public safety at risk.

In particular, she alleges that the chiefs of both departments pushed the Civil Service Commission to hire applicants with “concerning red flags in psychological and temperamental fitness reports” and interfered with the Commission’s work, despite a City Charter rule requiring the Commission to operate independently of the departments

“To meet these unattainable campaign promises, Mayor Johnston’s office pressured the Civil Service Commission to reduce the minimum exam score for new police officers to below 60% — down from 65% in 2023 and 70% in 2019,” Murray’s legal team stated. “It also pushed the Civil Service Commission to allow new police officers who were previously disqualified from service because they had a history of falsified applications, criminal convictions, drug possession, and psychological issues that made them unfit to serve.”

“We expect those who keep our community safe to be well prepared, adequately trained and of the appropriate mindset to do their difficult jobs,” Councilmember Shontel Lewis told Denver Gazette news partner 9News in May of 2024. “We cannot lower standards to fill an arbitrary quota.”

The mayor’s office denied the allegations at the time and points out that the civil service commission is independent and can make its own decisions on hiring and recruitment.

9NEWS was told Mayor Johnston has never met with the director of the commission nor has he given her any directives.

The Denver Gazette has reached out to the Denver City Attorney’s office as well as Johnston’s office for comment, didn’t receive a response as of this story’s publishing.

Citing an instance from March of 2024, Murray stated that she identified a particular candidate who had failed one of the psychological exams and would not likely be deemed suitable for service in the DPD. 

She requested that Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas delay extending an offer until the candidate could complete an additional exam.

Murray alleges Thomas acknowledged her concern but insisted she process the candidate’s application, allowing the individual to enter the force as a DPD officer immediately.

Murray stated she spoke out to several higher-level officials about her concerns and was “blatantly ignored.”

On May 28, 2024, Murray, along with Councilmembers Sarah Parady, Shontel Lewis, and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, went public with her concerns at a press conference.

That day, just hours after the press conference, Murray was terminated by the Commission.

Murray’s case is not the first this year.

In September, a federal judge halted the termination of a Denver employee who lost her job amid the recent citywide layoffs directed by Johnston to help close a $200 million budget gap.

Jessica Calderon, who served as director of operations and innovation in the Mayor’s Office of Social Equity & Innovation, alleges she and other city employees have been “deliberately targeted” as the city shed workers in August to remedy its looming financial woes.

On Sept. 17, U.S. District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang issued a temporary restraining order blocking the termination of Calderon’s employment until the parties can meet for a preliminary hearing. 

Calderon sued the Office of the Mayor and her former bosses in June, citing political retaliation in violation of the First Amendment and sex discrimination.