Longmont officials on Monday said it would not be in the public’s interest to release a 40-page document detailing the independent investigation into warrantless police searches in May at a subsidized housing apartment complex.

The city’s denial of the Times-Call’s request for the report under the Colorado Open Records Act is the second within a week, following officials’ refusal to release documents related to a harassment investigation among City Council members.

Results of a Weld County sheriff’s investigation — conducted at the request of Longmont officials — released Friday revealed that the use of police dogs in warrantless drug searches of units at the Longmont Housing Authority’s The Suites complex was not consistent with the police department’s standards.

Officials including Public Safety Chief Mike Butler, rather than releasing the findings, summarized the report in a news release and video saying that police “have already taken corrective actions to ensure that this never happens again.”

The news release also said that the police’s “policies, procedures, training and practices are all in place and appropriate” and they are looking for opportunities to improve.

The Times-Call also requested the full report from the Weld County Sheriff’s Office about its investigation into the searches at the The Suites and any related materials, including any communications from the city to City Council members.

Assistant City Attorney Teresa Tate responded Monday afternoon in an email saying that the city would not release the report connected with The Suites, where residents alleged units were searched in May and were going to be searched again in June.

“The request is denied at this time pursuant to section 24-72-305(5), C.R.S., because the custodian has determined that disclosure would be contrary to the public interest and the records are that of a criminal justice investigatory file involving an ongoing investigation,” Tate said.

She later said, in response to why it’s considered an ongoing investigation, that Longmont’s Public Safety Department has initiated its own internal administrative review.

“This internal administrative review will be examined by a panel of Longmont residents on Longmont’s citizens’ review panel, among others,” she said. “After we have completed our process, we will take any additional corrective actions, if necessary, in whatever form most appropriate.”

Additionally, the Longmont Housing Authority is working with attorney David Herrera to conduct its own internal investigation for the board to present, possibly on Tuesday.

Ray Appling, a resident at The Suites who first shed light on the issue, said she is pleased with the conclusion of the investigation.

She came forward to media concerned about a notice posted to her door that police dogs would be accompanying property managers in unit searches, and that she was not told that she could opt out.

“While I have the greatest respect for the difficult job that the Longmont Police Department does, sometimes poor choices are made even with the best of intentions,” she said in an email. “I am sure they felt like they were doing a public good by going along with Longmont Housing Authority’s idea to search apartments for drugs.”

She said the police were wrong in their approach and should have known better than to violate the Fourth Amendment.

“Going forward,” she continued, “I hope that the outcome of this investigation not only enforces a need for police education about citizens’ rights, but fosters more empathy for the men and women they encounter while on duty. Those who live at The Suites are no different than the police officers who protect and serve us. We are all Americans.”

Amelia Arvesen: 303-684-5212, arvesena@times-call.com or twitter.com/ameliaarvesen