DENVER — A lack of officers is a problem plaguing many police departments around the country, and Denver is no different. However, a new report reveals the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the persistent issue of understaffing, among other topics, at the Denver Police Department.
In a follow-up report on the department's 2023 audit, Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien highlights the ongoing need for improvements in officer retention, strategic planning, and community policing.
The report also reveals that DPD only fully implemented five of the 16 recommendations from the 2023 audit, despite the department's agreement to implement all of them.
Other findings from the follow-up report:
- DPD developed three broad recruiting goals with objectives, but we found the goals lacked specific information, such as how the objectives would be measured and the timeline for meeting each goal.
- The department has not yet developed and implemented processes to identify the primary causes for low retention. Although exit survey responses increased, the department lacks policies to analyze these surveys effectively.
- The Denver Police Department fully implemented our recommendation to develop, document, and implement diversity goals. It created a "Racial Equity Action Plan" and increased applicants' diversity.
- The department created a “Community Policing Engagement Plan,” but we found it did not meet most of the elements from our original audit recommendation to develop a community policing strategic plan. Nor did the department demonstrate that this plan had been effectively communicated to all relevant officers, staff, or external stakeholders.
- We recommended that Denver Police conduct a survey of Denver residents to gauge their perception of the department. The department conducted a resident survey, which led to a new program where officers engage with local businesses to discuss crime and safety, fostering trust.
“Receiving public comments and then responding with a new program where officers are meeting face-to-face with the people they serve is significant for building trust,” O’Brien said in a news release. “It shows that Denver police listen to public feedback.”
In a statement to Denver7, Doug Schepman, director of communications for the Denver Police Department, listed eight retention initiatives, four recruitment initiatives and six community policing initiatives that have been or will soon be implemented within the department.
In regards to retention initiatives, Schepman outlined:
- Improved academy training and processes
- A contract with a professional strength and conditioning company, which has "significantly decreased" officer injuries
- Opportunities for officers to share their thoughts, including town halls with the police chief and rollcall visits
- A mentorship program for all new recruits that launched in 2024
- A "Wellness and Resiliency program" that aids with officer well-being
- New funding that will allow Denver PD to "revamp" its exit interview process. According to Schempman, that funding will be available beginning on April 1.
Schepman said the department is exploring how funding from Proposition 130 can be used, once it becomes available. The proposition, which was passed by voters in November 2024, provides $350 million to help local police departments recruit, train and retain officers. Denver PD is also "consistently monitoring national trends, reaching out to peer agencies regarding retention strategies, etc."
For recruitment, Schepman said the department "recently streamlined our training for officers who are already certified by Colorado P.O.S.T." This change "helps remove the hurdle for officers who don't want to go through a full training academy again."
The department also created an EmpowHer academy to recruit women. According to Schepman, a cohort of 46 women has already completed the program.
Schepman said Denver PD has been working with the Civil Service Commission, the department's hiring authority, in order to "streamline and simplify processes" to speed up the application to hiring timeline.
According to Schepman, Denver PD engages in several community policing initiatives, including:
- The Before the Blue, Beyond the Badge orientation program in order to connect new recruits with Denver neighbors, business owners and community organizers
- The Trust Patrol program to "[improve] relationships and [reduce] crime"
- Monthly community meetings with district commanders to discuss crime prevention