Police Directory

Chief Paul M Pazen

On Monday, July 9, 2018, Paul M. Pazen was sworn in as the 70th Chief of Police for the Denver Police Department. Chief Pazen began serving the Denver community as a police officer in 1995 and his experience includes 12 years of command level experience in several areas of police operations. For the six years prior to his appointment to Chief of Police, Chief Pazen was the Commander of District One, during which he led an ambitious effort to enhance police services, create an environment of team building, collaboration, and fostering innovative crime prevention strategies, while instituting transparency and accountability, and empowering residents and sustainable community/police relations.

Chief Pazen is a proud Denver native and graduate of Denver’s North High School, after which he served with the United States Marine Corps and is a Gulf War Veteran. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University-Global and graduated with magna cum laude honors. Chief Pazen continues building his skills through training and education including the Senior Management Institute for Police, Police Executive Forum at Boston University, Federal Bureau of Investigation-National Academy (FBINA), West Point Military Academy-Leadership in Police Organizations Instructor, Criminal Justice Certificate from University of Virginia, and 2018 Fellow at University of Denver, Latino Leadership Institute.

Chief Pazen has received various high-level department awards and commendations for managing critical incidents, implementing strategic planning and full-scale preparedness exercises, execution and evaluation. Commendations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Leadership Award, Superior Tactics and Response Award, Police Merit and Department Service Award. 

Deputy Chief Barb Archer

Deputy Chief Barb Archer is a proud Denver native and graduate of George Washington High School who began serving the City and County of Denver as a civilian employee in 1986 before becoming a Denver police officer in 1990.

During her 28-year career as a police officer, Deputy Chief Archer has served in numerous leadership roles, including: Commander of the Major Crimes Bureau and Operations Support Division; Lieutenant in District One patrol and Chief of Staff for the Deputy Chief of Operations; Sergeant in the Crimes Against Persons Bureau and District Two Patrol; Detective in the Crimes Against Persons Bureau; and as a patrol officer in District Two.

Division Chief Ron Thomas

A former Department of Safety cadet and graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School; Division Chief of Patrol Ron Thomas joined the Denver Police Department in 1989, continuing the family tradition of public service to the Denver community. Since then, Division Chief Thomas has held numerous assignments in patrol, investigations, and special operations, including assignments as Commander of Police District 2, Police District 5 and the Denver Police Internal Affairs Bureau.

Though steadfastly committed to the citizens of Denver and the mission of the Denver Police Department, Commander Thomas is also man avid sports fan, engages in several outdoor activities, and enjoys coaching and mentoring young people.

Division Chief Joe Montoya

Division Chief of Investigations Joe Montoya was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and graduated from Denver Abraham Lincoln High School in 1981. He began his law enforcement career with the Northglenn Police Department, from 1984 to 1991. In April of 1991, he joined the Denver Police Department.

Division Chief Montoya has held several leadership roles within the Denver Police Department. The command-level assignments he has held within the Denver Police department include Commander of the Internal Affairs Bureau, District 3, District 4, Crimes Against Persons Bureau, and a Lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Bureau.

Division Chief Aaron Sanchez

Born and raised in Denver, Division Chief Aaron Sanchez is a former Public Safety Cadet and a graduate of Lincoln High School, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and the University of Colorado at Denver. Division Chief Sanchez attended the police academy in 1987 and has had numerous roles and positions within the Denver Police Department, to include patrol, neighborhood and community policing, narcotic investigations, and the combined communications center.  Division Chief Sanchez most recently was the Commander of District 6, which involved overseeing the commercial core of Denver. 

As a resident of the City and County of Denver for his entire life, Division Chief Sanchez is committed to the strategic plan of the Denver Police Department and to the overall welfare of our great community.

Phone: (720) 913-6890
The Planning, Research and Support Unit handles special projects impacting the Denver Police Department. The unit provides support for the Chief in the form of researching future trends, policies and procedural changes, and the planning and implementation of these projects. The unit also responds to outside agency requests and can be reached at dpdplanning@denvergov.org.

Major Crimes Bureau: (720) 913-6037
The Major Crimes Bureau provides specialized investigations for homicides, robbery, sex crimes, missing persons, intimate partner (domestic) violence, and fraud.

Cold Case Unit
The Denver Police Cold Case Unit proactively combines advances in DNA technology and traditional investigative techniques to solve cold case homicides and sexual assault cases.  The Cold Case Unit's motto WE WILL NEVER FORGET is a daily reminder to pursue justice for victims and their families long thought forgotten.

Crime Stoppers: 720-913-STOP (7867) or www.metrodenvercrimestoppers.com

Fraud/Financial Crime: (720) 913-6752
Fraud is responsible for the investigation and case filing of complaints related to checks, credit cards, forgeries and frauds.

Homicide/Robbery: (720) 913-6050
The Homicide/Robbery Section investigates instances where a death occurs except when traffic related, anything of value taken from a person by force, extortion, threats/intimidation, as well as weapons violations by juveniles.

Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence: (720) 913-6071 (hotline) or (720) 337-4400
The Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence Unit investigates intimate partner (domestic) violence incidents such as assault, kidnapping, threats, telephone harassment, restraining order violations, menacing, and stalking.

Sex Crimes: (720) 913-6040
Sex Crimes responds to sexual assaults, as well as sexually-motivated child abductions by strangers.  

Sex Offender Registration
The Sex Offender Registration Unit oversees registration of sex offenders and coordinates notification to the community of sexually violent predators released within designated neighborhood boundary limits.

Bias-Motivated Crimes: (720) 913-6458 (for follow-up only; to report a crime call 911 or the non-emergency number at 720-913-2000)
The Bias-Motivated Crime Unit investigates reported incidents of a criminal act against a person or property that is motivated by an offender’s bias against: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability and sexual orientation. 

Email: biascrimesinfo@denvergov.org (for follow-up or to ask a question related to bias-motivated crimes)

Bias-motivated crime data is maintained on Denver's Open Data Catalog.

Counter Threats Section: (720) 913-6753 
The Counter Threats Section oversees complex investigations including:

• Fugitive apprehension
• Internet predators
• Illegal weapons activity
• Specialized electronic equipment
• Overt camera surveillance
• School violence
• Terrorism and criminal intelligence activities

Vice/Narcotics Section: (720) 913-6060 
The Vice/Narcotics Section is responsible for regulation and enforcement of laws governing:

• Prostitution
• Sex trafficking
• Gambling
• Scalping
• Brand protection
• Liquor licenses
• Controlled substances

Phone: (720) 337-2010
The Forensics and Evidence Bureau is responsible for the examination of crime scene evidence and provides expert testimony in court cases.

Air Support: (720) 913-6022
The Denver Police Air Support Unit has been responsible for the capture of numerous criminals including fleeing felons and the safe termination of high speed vehicle pursuits. The Air Support Unit has assisted in searches for missing persons and lost children, provided assistance to surrounding jurisdictions, assisted in drug suppression activities, and continually engages in general crime prevention efforts.

Bomb Threats: (720) 913-2000 or 911 in an emergency
The Denver Police Bomb Squad responds to:

• Explosive investigations
• Explosive device diffusion and mitigation
• Presentations on explosive safety and awareness

Gang Unit: (720) 913-1333
Gang Hotline: (720) 913-1339
The Gang Unit is responsible for enforcing local, state and federal laws pertaining to gang related and gang-motivated crimes. 

METRO/SWAT: (303) 871-8888
The METRO/SWAT Section is comprised of specially trained officers in special weapons and tactics, and is responsible for responding to all immediate entry warrants or other potentially hazardous situations. The section is responsible for critical incident response and protection in the following areas:

• VIP protection
• Riots
• Barricaded subjects 
• Mass demonstrations
• Hostage situations
• Snipers
• Fire bombings

Photo Radar Enforcement: (720) 337-1114
The Photo Enforcement Unit provides photo radar and photo red light enforcement throughout the City and County of Denver.

Special Events/Street Closure Permits: (720) 337-1066
The Denver Police Department Special Events Unit plans, coordinates, and oversees traffic-related activities and permits associated with very specific types of special events in the City and County of Denver.  These include:

• Parades
• Sporting events
• Special event that requires the closure of streets (such as running events or bicycle events)
• VIP visits (such as the President of the United States)

Applications must be made in person:

3381 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 720-337-1030
DPDSpecialEvents@denvergov.org

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00AM to 4:00PM

For all other special event permit applications, please visit the Denver Office of Special Events.

Traffic Investigations: (720) 337-1000
The Traffic Investigations Unit is responsible for on-the-scene and follow-up investigation of the following:

• Fatal accidents or serious bodily injury accidents
• Hit and run accidents
• Pursuits and eluding of Denver Police Department officers
• Habitual traffic Offenders
• Accidents involving Denver Police Department vehicles
• Accidents involving Denver Fire Department or Denver Health ambulances when operating with emergency lights and sirens
• Accidents involving City and County of Denver vehicles when significant property damage, injuries or fatalities are involved
• Criminal impersonation
• Hazardous materials

Traffic Operations: (720) 337-1030
The Traffic Operations Section is responsible for on-scene investigations of motor vehicle crashes, the safe and efficient movement of vehicle traffic on city streets and highways, and the enforcement of traffic related city ordinances and state statutes.

Phone: (720) 913-6035
The Crisis Services Division provides immediate intervention, support, information, referrals and other assistance to victims of crime, witnesses and/or their families including incidents of non-criminal, stark misfortune.

Phone: (303) 342-2300
The Denver International Airport (DIA) Police Bureau is responsible for the following on airport property:

• Uniformed patrol
• Safety and security of roadways and facilities
• Traffic investigations and enforcement
• Criminal investigations

Phone: (720) 913-6024
The Operations Support Section provides oversight for the Inventory Control Unit, Fleet Management Section, and the Uniform/Stationery Supply Unit.

Phone: (720) 913-1350
The Academy provides instruction to Denver police officers and staff, as well as other law enforcement personnel across the Rocky Mountain region. To learn more, visit the Police Academy and Training page.

Phone: (720) 913-6718 
Call us to claim your property, you will need a valid ID/drivers license or passport.

Property releases are done Monday through Friday (except holidays), 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Please call to confirm hours of operation.

Police Pension and Relief Board Meeting Minutes

• 2018 Minutes(PDF, 1MB)
• 2019 Minutes(PDF, 912KB)
• February 6, 2020(PDF, 159KB)
• April 2, 2020(PDF, 83KB)
• June 4, 2020(PDF, 84KB)