Exclusive Bodycam Footage Reveals Former Douglas County Commander Spitting at Parker Officer

Newly obtained body camera video provides a stark look at the incident that ended the law enforcement career of Andrew Sanders, a former commander with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The footage, exclusively acquired by Denver7 Investigates, captures Sanders cursing at Parker police officers, spitting across a room, and allegedly attempting to headbutt an officer during his arrest for driving under the influence.

The incident took place on February 7, when Parker police spotted Sanders' truck swerving and weaving between lanes near Bradbury Parkway and Hitching Post Circle. Officers noted that Sanders had slurred speech and glassy eyes. He refused roadside sobriety tests, which led police to secure a warrant for a blood draw. Recent court hearings revealed that his blood alcohol level was 0.253, more than three times the legal driving limit in Colorado.

The video shows Sanders handcuffed to a hospital bed while he repeatedly directs profanities at the responding officers. At one point, he spits across the room, prompting one officer to exclaim, "Oh my God." When the officers warn him that his behavior could lead to an additional charge, Sanders responds, "Really? I didn't f'ing hit her. I f'ing spit." An officer replies, "You just spit directly at her."

In another tense moment captured on camera, Sanders challenges the officers to strike him, saying, "Go ahead. F, g hit me." An officer responds by telling him to stop trying to headbutt them. This newly released footage offers the first public view of the confrontation that Parker police had previously described in arrest documents.

Following an internal affairs investigation, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office fired Sanders less than a week after his arrest. He has since pleaded guilty to DUI and assault. A judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail and two years of probation. District Attorney George Brauchler of the 23rd Judicial District noted that this sentence represents the maximum jail time the court could impose while still allowing for probation.

Brauchler described the conduct as outrageous, particularly because it was committed by someone wearing the uniform of the very agency he spat at. He stated, "Outrageous. This is outrageous conduct by anyone in this community.. It is extra outrageous when it's done by someone who has put on the uniform of the person that he spit at." The prosecutor called it one of the three most troubling DUI cases of his career.

Prosecutors also revealed that Sanders' struggles with alcohol continued after his initial arrest. During the sentencing hearing, it emerged that he had relapsed twice, once during the summer and again just one week before sentencing. In the more recent incident, his family called 911, reporting that Sanders was intoxicated and that they were afraid.

Brauchler emphasized that Sanders' high rank did not place him above the law. He said, "I'm appreciative of the sentence because I think the public needs to know we are a rule of law community down here, and nobody is above the law. Nobody."

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly previously described Sanders' actions as deeply disappointing and disturbing. Following the termination, Weekly stated, "No one is above the law, regardless of rank, position or tenure." Denver7 Investigates is now seeking answers directly from Weekly regarding the conduct captured on camera and how his office handled the case, with a follow-up report expected this week.