POLICE TRANSPARENCY:
As seen in many communities across the country, police accountability and transparency are vital components to building a safe and positive environment for all. We need improves communication between police departments and the people and communities they service, in order to protect and support each other.
We all have a right to know how our laws are enforced and how our communities are policed. We want to reassure you our police department operates with transparency and accountability, which is why were committed to increasing police transparency here in Westminster.
At the Westminster Police Department, we take pride in being transparent with the public. We believe that when the public has access to accurate information about the way police operate, they have more trust in our officers.
POLICY/PROCEDURE:
The Westminster Police Department has contracted with Lexipol to have our polices reviewed and updated. Once this process is complete, you will be able to access those policies online. We hope to have this project completed by February 2024.
COMPLIMENTS OR COMPLIANTS:
It is the goal of the Westminster Police Department to provide the highest level of law enforcement services. We want to ensure our employees are performing their duties professionally. Police work is a complex job and we realize we may exceed or fall short of your expectations.
Compliments or complaints may be made at any time via any one of the ways listed below.
Emailed to police@westminsterco.gov
Handwritten or typed compliments or complaints may be mailed to:
Westminster Police Department Professional Standards
c/o Professional Services Commander
9110 Yates Street
Westminster, CO 80031
Call the non-emergency dispatch line at 303-658-4360 and a request to speak to the on-duty supervisor.
Come into the Public Safety Center located at 9110 Yates Street and ask to speak with the on-duty sergeant or commander.
Comments may be left on our comment line at 303-658-4424.
We value your input on the level of service we deliver.
BODY-WORN CAMERA (BWC): The planning, purchasing and deploying of 200 Axon Body 3 cameras began at the end of 2020. In March 2021, the department had their first team of early adopters equipped with body cameras. This included at least one officer from every shift and section. In November 2021 the department had every officer equipped with a body camera.
Westminster PD has fully implemented the BWC program ahead of the July 1, 2023 date required by SB20-217.. All sworn Police and Animal Management officers are equipped, trained and utilizing their assigned camera each day when interacting with citizens. We currently have 200 plus Axon Body Camera 3s in use and looking forward to upgrading to Axon Body Camera 4s in the latter part of 2023, early 2024. The newer cameras have updated features such as wider field of view and more accurate GPS location.
Our body worn camera unit consists of 4 technicians, they are supervised by the Technical Services Commander. There is currently one vacancy in the unit.
The technicians are responsible for maintaining the functionality of the cameras and their associated equipment. They also account for, properly categorizing and identifying all body worn camera videos in Evidence.com. They set up the officers' equipment, and train them on the use of their camera. When a public request for a video comes into records, they are responsible for the redaction of those videos in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act.
Body-Worn Camera Footage Library
ANTI BIAS-RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE:
The Westminster Police Department complies with HB 15-1287, which mandates training requirements for Colorado Police officers in the areas of; Anti Bias training, Community Policing and De-Escalation skills. In addition, this bill created Rule 28 which further defines required areas of training for police officers in the State of Colorado.
THIN BLUE LINE:
The blue line represents the men and women of law enforcement who stand in the gap between the lawless and the innocent. The background to the flag is stark, representing the men and women who have died defending that line, all embracing the American flag and the unity it symbolizes.
The thin blue line is sometimes mistaken for what some have called the blue wall of silence. That wall, which has indeed existed in some times and places, refers to the shielding of police officers by their colleagues from responsibility for misconduct. The representation of the blue wall of silence is not a revered value to police officers, but a vestige of the past that leaders must still work to overcome.
The rich and deep symbolism of the thin blue line, and the flag on which it appears, is not a flag of defiance. It is not part of a battle cry by police officers of aggression toward the public or those who oppose law and order. It is not a flag pronouncing superiority of class or privilege. It is a symbol to the citizenry that the thin blue line will not be broken. When it appears, it says of the bearer that they support the concept of justice and reason, as well as the strength of the law as enforced by those entrusted to do so. For a police officer, it says they are a part of something bigger than themselves. For the civilian, it says they are willing to stand with those who join in everyone’s responsibility to maintain peace and those whose vocation is dedicated to maintaining peace.
Reference: https://tinyurl.com/3unb4f6c
BUDGET:
2023 Total Budget: $43,315,150
2023 Grant Amount Awarded (Projected): $472,569
(This is projected because not all grant awards have been announced to-date)
2023 Police Department Grants |
HVIDE | Overtime Expenses |
Co-Responder Services Program Grant | Salary, Benefits, Supplies, Training and Travel |
CVS VOCA Grant (2 Year Grant) | Salary and Benefits |
EBM JAG | Equipment |
LEAF | Overtime Expenses |
| |
NEW CDOT Highway Safety Office Grant | Overtime & Lidars |
ICAC | Training & Travel |
DOLA | Mandatory Wellness & Training |
CATPA-CMATT | Salary, Benefits & Overtime |
State Grants (HVIDE, LEAF, CATPA-CMATT, and Co-Responder Services Program):
HVIDE and LEAF is for DUI Enforcement.
CATPA-CMATT is for partial re-imbursement for an Auto Theft Detective’s salary, benefits and overtime for cases that occur within our jurisdiction. We are unable to accurately project for current and future years. It is case dependent. In the past, we were considered a Vendor with CMATT, so there will be no GIN assigned if that remains the case.
The Co-Responder Services Program is for full funding for 2.0 FTE Co-Responders and partial funding for a Co-Responder Supervisor. We anticipate applying for annually so long as funding continues to be available.
Federal Grants (EBM JAG, ICAC, CVS-VOCA, DOLA and CDOT):
EBM JAG is a local solicitation grant that is utilized to purchase needed equipment. Historically, the awarded amount changes. It is never consistent.
ICAC provides for training and travel.
The CVS-VOCA grant is for partial funding for salary and benefits for a 1.0 FTE fulltime Court VA and partial funding for salary and benefits for a 1.0 FTE part-time salary Court VA as well as for emergency funds. Funding for the CVS-VOCA Grant is a 2-year grant.
DOLA is for Mandatory Wellness Checks, training and travel for sworn officers. It run over 1 year.
The PD anticipates being officially awarded two separate CDOT grants that will provide for overtime and equipment. Both these grants have the possibility to run for a total of 3 years each.
COMMITTEE ON DISPOSITION OF FORFEITED PROPERTY:
No Meetings Scheduled At This Time