Denver’s Police Department struggles to overcome understaffing issues, and the city's Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien suggests that this could persist without the adoption of improved strategies for police officer retention and recruitment. In a report following up on a previous 2023 audit, O’Brien pointed out areas where the Denver Police Department (DPD) has failed to fully adopt recommended changes. “By not following best practices for retention, Denver limits itself in keeping quality officers. An understaffed department impacts officer morale, 911 call response times, and community perception,” O’Brien stated, according to the Denver Auditor´s Office.
Out of the 16 recommendations from the original audit, DPD has fully implemented five, partially implemented four, and did not implement seven. One of the incomplete areas is the recruitment program, which lacks specific information about how to achieve its objectives. DPD leaders have acknowledged this gap and plan to rewrite the recruitment program plan including specific measurements. They also have yet to develop and implement policies for analyzing exit surveys, which could inform better retention strategies.
However, some progress has been made. The department successfully developed a 'Racial Equity Action Plan', and as of 2024, 16.11% of applicants identified as Black or African American, a figure that surpasses Denver's Black or African American population percentage. “Progress has been made to keep officers in Denver,” O’Brien said, per Denver Auditor´s Office. “It’s good to see the department move toward better diversity practices, but there’s more work to be done."
The DPD created a “Community Policing Engagement Plan,” yet this plan failed to meet most elements the original audit recommended and did not show that it had been effectively communicated to all relevant officers and stakeholders. Denver Police also surveyed Denver residents to gauge their perception of the department, leading to the creation of a program where local businesses can request officer visits for discussions on crime prevention and safety. “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 noted, as obtained by Denver Auditor´s Office.
