Columbine Valley Police officer reprimanded after false package theft accusation

The full story

On September 27, 2025, Chrisanna Elser was confronted at her Denver-area home by Sgt. Jamie Milliman of the Columbine Valley Police Department. Milliman accused Elser of stealing a package in the neighboring town of Bow Mar, citing data from Flock Safety license plate reader cameras. During the interaction, which was discussed online, Milliman insisted the evidence was a "lock" and claimed the town's surveillance network tracked all vehicle movement. Elser denied the allegations and requested to see the evidence, a request Milliman refused. Following the confrontation, Elser conducted her own investigation, gathering footage from her vehicle’s onboard cameras and video from a local business she visited during the time of the alleged theft. Upon reviewing this exculpatory evidence, Columbine Valley Police Chief Bret Cottrell acknowledged that the accusation was incorrect and the summons was not filed. An internal investigation into the incident resulted in a letter of reprimand for Sgt. Milliman, with Chief Cottrell citing the officer's "rude, dismissive" behavior and failure to follow de-escalation protocols. Reports also noted that Milliman had a history of disciplinary issues, including a prior termination from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 for failing to follow department policies. The case has since become a focal point for privacy advocates in Colorado who argue that automated surveillance technology lacks sufficient guardrails to prevent wrongful accusations.