Police Transparency

The 2022 Arvada Police Annual Report (PDF) is now available.

The City of Arvada's Police Department (APD) is dedicated to serving our community. We feel that more transparency about the work we do and the way we do it will only enhance our commitment to community policing. Below is some important information that we think gives the community an insight into that work. We welcome any comments or questions on how the Arvada Police Department operates and treats our community members. Complete the Arvada PD Performance Survey or call 720-898-6654.

Would you like a community group presentation of the Arvada Police Department's ongoing efforts in developing a community-based policing culture? Email Detective David Snelling, Public Information Officer.

Information is available in the following areas:

Community-Based Policing

The Arvada Police Department has been practicing a Sector Based policing strategy since 2014 with the opening of our first community station. The purpose of sector policing is to have the same officers deploy out of the same station and get to know the businesses and the residents within their assigned area. This way, officers are familiar with the sector-specific crime patterns and can directly address each problem individually. Read about APD's Community-Based Policing.

Police Recruiting

The APD has, for decades, maintained an exhaustive recruiting, background investigation, and hiring system. In addition, all of our incoming officers hold a four-year college degree, which helps ensure our sworn employees have the maturity needed to implement APD's sophisticated community policing strategies. Read about APD's Police Recruiting.

Anti-Bias Training

Among the APD's goals in requiring ongoing, comprehensive non-biased policing training are to create awareness of different types of bias, and to make employees aware of the role bias may play in our society, especially in the criminal justice system. Read about APD's Anti-Bias Training.

Co-Responder Unit (CRU)

The Arvada Police Department's Co-Responder Program continues progressing in cutting-edge ways and is now known as the CRU. In July 2022, APD successfully hired two co-responders in-house. These behavioral health clinicians facilitate a broader array of options for clients experiencing behavioral health issues, which can benefit the client and the community in many ways. The CRU's responsibilities include going on the scene with officers to de-escalate individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, assisting officers in determining where the individual needs to go (crisis center, ED, hospital, etc.), and providing long-term mental health resources.

Body Worn Cameras: Impact and Implementation

In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature created a new "Police Transparency" law, requiring all law enforcement agencies to fully implement the use of body-worn cameras by the year 2023. The Arvada Police Department has begun this process and will be fully compliant with Senate Bill 217 before 2023. Read about APD's Body Worn Cameras: Impact and Implementation.

School Resource Officers (SRO)

For over two decades, the Arvada Police Department has been placing police officers in schools within the City of Arvada. Introducing police officers into our school system to work side by side with school staff allows our youngest community members to see a police officer as an essential resource and not be frightened. Read about APD's School Resource Officers.

Community & Police Demographics

We take pride in recruiting the best and most diverse officers available with 4-year college degrees. Read about APD's reports on Community and Police Demographics.

Traffic Warnings & Citation Data

With the implementation of the new Colorado "Transparency in Law Enforcement" law, APD is implementing numerous records system changes to track more data. Read about APD's Traffic Warnings and Citation Data.