Recommendation 42

Recommendation 42 (co-reference with response to Rec. 43) – “Remove police officers from routine traffic stops and crash reporting and explore non-police alternatives that incentivize behavior change to eliminate traffic fatalities.”

Key Agencies – Denver Police Department; Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

Executive Branch Response Status – Other, as described below

Executive Summary

  • Legal and community safety and investigation considerations prohibit Denver from completely removing police officers from making routine traffic stops and responding to motor vehicle accidents; however, Denver has made and continues to make substantial steps toward using non-police alternatives where feasible. More information on the Denver Police Department’s (“DPD”) policy on traffic management is explained in the DPD Operations Manual.
  • The DPD Traffic Operations Bureau employs 36 civilian Crash Report Technicians who respond to the scene of traffic accidents and conduct on-scene investigation and traffic crash reporting functions.
    • DPD actively monitors staffing and operational needs to identify opportunities to request additional civilian staffing authorization for appropriate functions, including Crash Reporting Technicians, through the City’s annual budget process.
    • Police officers must conduct investigation and accident reporting functions for traffic accidents in cases where felony charges are possible (for example, crashes in which a person suffers serious bodily injury or is driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana (DUI)). Only sworn officers have the authority and training necessary to complete Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault investigations, which includes submission of chemical testing of breath or blood.
  • DPD has invested in automated enforcement technology, specifically red-light cameras and civilian photo enforcement units that perform the enforcement functions for certain red light and speeding violations without the physical presence of a DPD officer.
    • However, under state law, automated enforcement technology may only be used in certain locations and under certain conditions (e.g. photo enforcement can only be used in school zones, construction zones, or along a street bordering a municipal park, among others). The Colorado Legislature has created an Automated Vehicle Identification Systems Issue Brief explaining the use of red-light cameras and photo radar technology.  DPD has a Photo Radar Enforcement website with information specific to automated enforcement technology use.
    • DPD also utilizes electronic speed notification boards and messaging boards reminding drivers to slow down as a mechanism to increase safe practices without the physical presence of a DPD Officer.
  • The DPD Traffic Operations Bureau has a Neighborhood Enforcement Team (“NET”) that is responsive to community complaints about traffic safety and provides requested enforcement activities and education.   
    • The NET team receives all 3-1-1 traffic complaints and assists and supports each Police District in traffic safety efforts.
    • The NET team employs a precision policing approach to each complaint by meeting with complainants to fully understand the problem, and utilizing fixed stealth radar, if applicable to speeding complaints, to capture data. The data is analyzed to determine if a problem exists, and enforcement action, to include photo enforcement if in an area where legally permitted, may be recommended if needed.
    • Additionally, the NET team may opt to deploy driver feedback signs for a period to remind drivers of the speed limits in the area.
    • This process supports a comprehensive traffic justice model by not sending enforcement to a neighborhood where a complaint is made without supporting data.
  • DPD partners closely with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (“DOTI”) for education, environmental assessment/design, and compliance strategies, including implementation of the Vision Zero plan.
  • See the Response to Recommendation 43 for additional information about the City’s investment in environmental design to increase traffic safety. 

Response Highlights

  • Denver cannot completely remove police officers from traffic safety duties.
  • Police officers must conduct certain traffic safety investigation and reporting functions, such as Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault investigations.
  • DPD has removed officers from traffic safety operations in many ways, as described in the Executive Summary.
  • DPD supports the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s work on the Vision Zero plan.
Back to top