Friday evening, a media report from NBC 5 in Chicago incorrectly identified Police Chief Kristen Ziman and the Aurora Illinois Police Department in a situation involving the Aurora Colorado Police Department.
The story was about the firing of Aurora, Co. police officers after they mocked the death of an Aurora, Colorado teenager, Elijah McClain, in photographs. In the social media post and article, NBC 5 incorrectly identified the police chief as Aurora Illinois Police Chief Kristen Ziman. The post was shared numerous times and screenshots of the post have circulated on social media, causing assumptions that the wrongdoing was by our officers in the Aurora Illinois Police Department.
As soon as our Office of Public Information was made aware of the social media post and web article, we immediately contacted NBC 5 and made them aware of their error. They removed the social media post and corrected the online article.
Unfortunately, the error during these days of raw emotions can lead to unintended consequences, criticism, and condemnation directed at our police department. We expect the media to hold us accountable, but we also expect the media to check their facts.
After contacting NBC 5, we received an apology from NBC 5’s vice president of news. The station publicly apologized for their error. The Aurora Police Department and Chief Kristen Ziman appreciates the effort made by the staff members at NBC 5 to correct the error.
We have no connection to the matter in Aurora, Co.. In the future, we hope in that the media takes the time to call and fact check their information before posting it.
Right now is a pivotal moment in our history. The Aurora Illinois Police Department is engaged and committed to ongoing conversations about racial equity, further building and strengthening bonds with the neighborhoods we serve. All law enforcement needs to be having this conversation across the country, but we need everyone’s help.
The Aurora Illinois Police Department sees itself as a partner of the people that call Aurora home. Our officers are dedicated to daily responsibility of protecting and working alongside our community as #OneAurora.
—Aurora Police Department