Boulder, Colorado PD questions

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[mirandized]

I am not an LEO at Boulder PD, but I and many LEO friends have looked into the department for possible employment. First off, morale and community support is at an all-time low for the department. I think this is still a stigma from the JonBenet case.

They also, it seems, have something to prove. I heard this from an instructor in the academy. There was a case a few years ago of a rape which led to Boulder PD's jurisdiction. It was a very sensitive case, and it's outcome was important to the community, due to the nature of the events. Basically a group of asian gang members kidnapped a college girl and raped her in the back of a van for hours and left her on the side of a mountain road to die.
Denver PD and Jefferson County SO (both departmenrs have infinitely more experience and resources) both offered their assistance for investigation and prosecution of the case. Boulder PD declined, and that case was not handled in the best way possible.

Just from my and another LEO's experience, it seems their training is not exactly up to par either. Nothing I witnessed on my couple of rides jumped out at me, just some general nonchalantness. My friend, however, who was a reserve with another department at the time, told me a disturbing story. They were dispatched to a possible burglary in progress, business alarm after hours. Got there, door was hanging open, glass broken on the floor. He asked whether they should wait for a cover car, the riding officer just replied "eh, we'll be alright." She then proceeded into the building, flashlight in the gun hand, calling out "Hello, Boulder Police Department...anyone here?" :eek: Bottom line, other cops don't like/trust these guys. At least that's the impression I get from guys that have looked into them, and a friend that dispatched for them...

As far as the academy goes, it is an accredited system. Boulder, and other departments, will sponsor you to a certified academy. If you self-sponsor, you are eligible for a 25% increase in wage over other starting officers. The same goes for your out-of-state certification. You would have to take the POST challenge test, and you would be certified. If you can't pass it, you'll have to go through academy again. Only a few departments run their own program...the others around here are WAY too small and don't hire enough annually to justify the expense of their own program. Mine was 15 weeks...others vary. Hope this all helps.

[co911]

The above information is pretty accurate. Coloradans refer to the city as the "Republic of Boulder" as it is "XX miles surrounded by reality". I have been told they are very politically correct. In fact they recently disbanded their K9 Unit as the community did not support it. Having said that, their top out pay is outstanding and they do keep busy. It is also accurate to say that BPD suffered enormously from the JB incident.

There are, IMHO, far better depts to work for in the Denver-metro area than BPD.

With 6 yrs on the job you should have few problems challenging POST.
http://www.ago.state.co.us/post/posthome.html

Depending on the depts you apply to, you will either do a full academy, an abbrevaiated one, or none at all. It all comes down to where you want to work, the type of work you want to do, and who is hiring. Right now, almost everyone is (except Lakewood).

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[SaNdMaN]

Mirandized was accurate for the most part...Boulder is not looked upon as the most respectable agency in the world...I have never interacted with an officer from the "People's Republic of Boulder" on a call, but have heard their reputation...

However,
Denver PD and Jefferson County SO (both departmenrs have infinitely more experience and resources) both offered their assistance for investigation and prosecution of the case. Boulder PD declined, and that case was not handled in the best way possible.

Completely inaccurate. This case was actually handled as flawlessly as possible in a joint effort between the Boulder PD and the Adams County Sheriff's Dept. Gang Unit. It was committed by, I want to say, Asian Crips. I believe there were six suspects total with five convictions and one suspect died (I can't remember if the dude capped himself or if he got capped by PD)...Suspects were apprehended in CO and in WI IIRC...The numbers may be off but the gist is there...

Long story short, it wouldn't be my first choice, hell, it wasn't even on my list...But, it depends on what you're looking for...If you enjoy community policing and are prepared to deal with the issues related with CU, then go for it...It is a laid back rather affluent suburb...

If you want to run and gun, and want to move to the Denver area, go for Denver, Aurora or Commerce City...

[mirandized]

Originally posted by SaNdMaN
Mirandized was accurate for the most part...Boulder is not looked upon as the most respectable agency in the world...I have never interacted with an officer from the "People's Republic of Boulder" on a call, but have heard their reputation...

However,


Completely inaccurate. This case was actually handled as flawlessly as possible in a joint effort between the Boulder PD and the Adams County Sheriff's Dept. Gang Unit. It was committed by, I want to say, Asian Crips. I believe there were six suspects total with five convictions and one suspect died (I can't remember if the dude capped himself or if he got capped by PD)...Suspects were apprehended in CO and in WI IIRC...The numbers may be off but the gist is there...

Long story short, it wouldn't be my first choice, hell, it wasn't even on my list...But, it depends on what you're looking for...If you enjoy community policing and are prepared to deal with the issues related with CU, then go for it...It is a laid back rather affluent suburb...

If you want to run and gun, and want to move to the Denver area, go for Denver, Aurora or Commerce City...

I'm sorry, you are absolutely right regarding the case. I think I was actually getting it confused with the JonBenet case. Also, now that I think of it, Jeffco didn't offer assistance, just Denver. Still, the important thing is, Boulder turned them down.

Also, I can't remember where they tracked those guys to. Was it Commerce City or somewhere else in Adams?

I would also like to add to your list of departments for a high-speed low-drag dept to work for. You might want to consider Westminster, Longmont, Federal Heights, Boulder COUNTY, Lafayette. Some good places to work for, but not necessarily with the most actions are Arvada, Thornton (who just annexed and are hiring huge), and Golden. Also, with Denver, not everywhere over there in running and gunning...if you want that, you will want to stick to Districts 1, 2, 4, and 6. 5 and 3 are rather out of the way, and don't have very heavy call loads due to being mostly peaceful or affluent areas. Also remember the pitfalls of working in the largest department in the state...the microscope is on you constantly, and the other agencies love you for taking the media heat and attention off of them. :)

[SaNdMaN]

Oh Mirandized, ye naive young lad...District 5 isn't busy??? Dude, that's where Montghetto is...They're getting their asses ran off due to all of the bangers shooting each other up over there...

The reason they turned down Denver was because Adams Co.'s gang unit knew exactly who the guys were...They tracked them down to Adams County (unincorporated) Westminster and Arvada (I believe), with like one or two running out of state...All were caught...

Westy is a good dept, some good old-school cops there...Fed Hgts is just too small...We had a few of their guys come over...Lafayette, I know it's sort of a springboard it seems...I know a couple guys who started there and went off to other places...Adams Co. it high speed, but their pay sucks...

Oh well, I hope me and Mirandized have helped you out Bro...

[mirandized]

Originally posted by SaNdMaN
Oh Mirandized, ye naive young lad...District 5 isn't busy??? Dude, that's where Montghetto is...They're getting their asses ran off due to all of the bangers shooting each other up over there...

The reason they turned down Denver was because Adams Co.'s gang unit knew exactly who the guys were...They tracked them down to Adams County (unincorporated) Westminster and Arvada (I believe), with like one or two running out of state...All were caught...

Westy is a good dept, some good old-school cops there...Fed Hgts is just too small...We had a few of their guys come over...Lafayette, I know it's sort of a springboard it seems...I know a couple guys who started there and went off to other places...Adams Co. it high speed, but their pay sucks...

Oh well, I hope me and Mirandized have helped you out Bro...

Wow, really? I guess I am wrong on that though...I went on a ride out there about 5 years ago, still thinking about getting into LE. That was the sentiment down there among some of the officers. Guess it's true that they can't speak for everyone. But I do remember rolling up to calls in a DPD car, and having people complain "Y'all can't come in here, this ain't Denver, this Montbello!" while their friends in plain view on the couch don't bother to put away the bong. HAHA, you lose suckers! :rolleyes:

And what I meant was that Boulder didn't turn them down in the rape case, but rather the JB case. Sorry for the confusion. I refreshed my research, and the rape case WAS handled impeccably.

And hey now! I'm about to be sworn in Fed Heights in less than a week! :) It is small, but you can't deny they keep busy. FH and Commerce City...the two most undesirable places to live in Adams County. lol

[SaNdMaN]

You're probably right...I think five years ago District 5 was fairly slow...I think it has exploded probably within the last three...

Regarding the JB case, hell, show me something Boulder did right:D

As far as Fed Hts go, I was a reserve there briefly when I worked in the county jail...Good guys, don't get me wrong...But, from what I hear, you'll be going stir crazy soon enough...

Of course, you do get off-duty at Water World...Lucky bastard...;)

[co911]

The boys know their CO stuff, but just to clarify, Thornton are NOT hiring right now and won't be until 2005. Arvada have a $23 million budget deficit so unless you can talk their recruiter into hiring you under those conditions, and you have a 4 yr degree, forget it.

[mirandized]

Wow, Arvada is THAT deep in the hole? A bunch of people I graduated the academy with in May got hired on there last month. Maybe that's all the slots they had. Hmm.

[co911]

"You might want to consider Westminster, Longmont, Federal Heights, Boulder COUNTY, Lafayette. Some good places to work for, but not necessarily with the most actions are Arvada, Thornton (who just annexed and are hiring huge), and Golden."

I'm not sure where your information comes from but since when did Lafayette become a "high speed" dept? And since when does Thornton not necessarily have the most action? I have buddies who work at Thornton and it is call to call almost constantly. You are aware they have like five trailer parks right? They are not hiring huge, (usually 8 to 10 twice a yr), and are in fact, not hiring until Summer 2005 at the earliest.

[CO_StayPositive]

Mistakes....

We could write an entire volume of books just on the stupid mistakes that ANY LE agency has committed. If you put that book on CNN, and add a little $$$$ to it....before you know it, you have the JB incident.

Take a look around your state gentlemen.......

-Denver PD shoots and KILLS the WRONG (I repeat WRONG) person as they enter the WRONG home on a warrant entry. Whoops.

-What about the county down south that had the unfortunate murder of one of their deputies because somebody neglected to find the handgun on the perp before putting him in the back of their cruiser??? (Supposedly checked by 2 deputies).

-Lafayette PD has the lovely officer accused (and I believe found guilty) of Sex Assault on several women.

....Point being, each department (yours included) has had it's share of mistakes. We all have our share of officers that lack skill and safety.

I don't mind opinions, but I don't have patience for derogatory remarks of other officers who are doing the SAME job you are, just in a different town. We all risk our lives and make the same sacrifices, and the disrespect is pitiful.

(Not to mention that 99% of the BS stated above was completely inaccurate and stated with very little knowledge.....why make an opinion or statement then?????)

[djbaynes]

Hey my buddy just left Boulder for the Dept of State, he thought it was OK but the problem was since Cross Roads Mall closed their tax base is almost non-existent. As previousley stated, they are as liberal as they get in Boulder not to mention my buddy stated that they are infested with lesbians who are they type who feel the need to be tougher than any man on the force and will chase a guy 10 blocks for a public urination cite.

I used to work for Adams and the patrol division is supposed to have one of the highest call loads in the Denver metro area and they do kick some ***, but you have to spend at least a year in the jail and if ever fall out of favor they will ship your *** back to jail in a heart beat, and the pay is the worst of all of the metro counties by far.

[CO_StayPositive]

True statement on Crossroads, except for the fact that Crossroads is now 100% demolished, and they are building a Theater/Mall/Restaurant complex which will rival that of Flatirons. To the City Manager's credit, at least he's identified the problem and made leaps to impove. This is supposed to be near completion by the end of 2005.

The tax base is something that ALL departments are fighting along the front range. Not so much due to individual problems, but the economy. (Not sure if you still work in Colorado, but didn't your dept. just undergo a budget cut? I know almost every dept. did.)

LOL....the Lesbian comment. Not sure if that statement was PC...but yes there are lesbians within the department. "Some" of them I'm sure feel the need to prove themselves, but I'm also sure some of them don't feel the need. Whether a lesbian, or a rookie.....chasing somebody when you really shouldn't/don't need to is more than a "Boulder" problem.

PM me your buddy's name Baynes. I might know him.