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Colo. PD survey finds officers are distrusting of top leadership intentions, integrity

Aurora interim-chief Art Acevedo has already begun changes in leadership to promote overall accountability

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CBS Colorado/YouTube

By Bill Carey
Police1

AURORA, Colo. — A recently released survey of Aurora police officers and civilian employees shows the majority distrust command staff.

The survey was commissioned by Aurora Police Interim Chief Art Acevedo last December, shortly after he arrived at the department, CBS Colorado reported.

Sixty-nine percent of the respondents agreed with the statement, “It’s not what you know but whom you know that will get you ahead.” “They do not trust people in leadership positions,” Acevedo said. “We’re going to change that culture, the easy way or the hard way, but we’re going to change that culture.”

The survey was anonymous with less than half of the department answering the 52 questions.

Forty-seven percent indicated they did not trust the intentions, motives and integrity of the department’s executive staff. Sixty-nine percent did not think that everyone in the department is treated fairly, regardless of rank or being sworn or civilian.

Acevedo said he is developing new policies to address the perceived inequities. Part of these new policies will measure employees by their performance and not by their relations, CBS Colorado reported.

Acevedo has already removed flex schedules for upper command staff. “Accountability goes up and down the chain and we’re all going to be held accountable,” he said.

On a positive note, 82% said the department did a good or excellent job of solving crimes, and 87% said they felt their direct supervisors appreciated their work. Most of the respondents believed their work was making a difference in the community.

The survey cost $5,000 and a department spokesperson said Acevedo contributed $1,000 of that cost.

Aurora Police Department 20... by CBS News Colorado

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