Lou Kilzer
Rocky Mountain News
Copyright 2006 Denver Publishing Company
Denver will add 40 to 50 more officers on patrol by changing the way it funds the police academy, according to city budget director Mel Thompson.
Additionally, the police department will ask for a net increase of 13 new uniformed officers and 21 civilian positions, Chief Gerry Whitman told the City Council safety committee Wednesday.
The move comes after a sometimes-bruising battle fought last year to add more officers.
Thompson reported that city revenues are up 6 percent for the first five months of the year, creating some flexibility in spending. But he also said he doesn’t think the rate of revenue growth is sustainable.
City departments will be preparing wish lists for funding increases.
But certain costs are clear, Thompson said. The city’s medical costs for prisoners are up $1.5 million after a similar increase the previous year. He called for a study of the “extremely disturbing” trend, noting that the costs have increased while the jail population has remained mostly stable.
Also during a sneak preview of this fall’s budget, Thompson said the city is buying 11 new firetrucks at $5.6 million to help mend the city’s aging fleet.
During the morning meeting, Whitman said that a study by New Jersey’s Hanover Justice Group wants to increase the time officers spend on self-initiated policing.
Currently, an officer spends about 20 to 24 minutes each hour on such enforcement, which includes traffic stops and contacting citizens.
The Hanover Group wants that time increased to 31 minutes.
Exactly how to rearrange personnel to make that happen will be known shortly, as both the Hanover Group and the police are formulating separate plans.
The two will then meet and hash out a final product.
The Hanover Group, which includes famed criminologist George Kelling, has brought “broken windows” policing to Denver. The philosophy holds that strict enforcement of even minor crimes - such as a broken window - can restore a sense of order and reduce more serious crimes.
But an officer has to have time to tackle such enforcement instead of simply attending to 911 calls.
July 20, 2006