Colorado Springs Police Department
Encyclopedia
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is the central police department for the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado
. CSPD is known nationally in the United States
for, among other operations, the capture and/or eventual surrender of several members of the Texas Seven
.
The current police chief is Richard W. Myers, who replaced previous chief Luis Velez in 2006 after a scandal involving destruction of evidence that caused several court cases to be dismissed.
The Colorado chapter of the ACLU revealed that, in conjunction with the Denver Police Department
, Colorado Springs police had been spying on residents involved in nonviolent protest activity.
During the 2007 St. Patrick's Day parade, the CSPD arrested several peace protesters in what was later found to be a somewhat brutal incident. All of the protesters were senior citizens. One of them, Elizabeth Fineron, was 66 and walked with the assistance of a cane. Ms. Fineron was dragged by police across the street, and suffered bloody abrasions from the incident.
In September 2011, two CSPD officers issued a citation to Hooters
and charged a 19-year-old waitress with a misdemeanor for giving alcohol to intoxicated customers. However, further investigation revealed that the officers had ordered beers and had visited two bars prior. Surviallance cameras also revealed that the customers do not appear intoxicated and able to walk without trouble. As a result, the case against the restaurant and waitress was dismissed. CSPD has denied the allegations, but Mayor Steve Bach has ordered an investigation into the officers' conduct.
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. CSPD is known nationally in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for, among other operations, the capture and/or eventual surrender of several members of the Texas Seven
Texas Seven
The Texas 7 was a group of prisoners who escaped from the John Connally Unit near Kenedy, Texas on December 13, 2000. They were apprehended January 21–23, 2001 as a direct result of the television show America's Most Wanted.- Members :...
.
The current police chief is Richard W. Myers, who replaced previous chief Luis Velez in 2006 after a scandal involving destruction of evidence that caused several court cases to be dismissed.
Organization
The CSPD is headed by the Chief of Police, who presides directly over three main Bureaus (each headed by a Deputy Chief):- Administrative Services Bureau - Provides logistical support. Administrative Services has three divisions: Information Services, Management Services, and Professional Standards.
- Operations Support Bureau - Provides technical and expert assistance to the other two Bureaus. Operations Support has three divisions: Investigations, Metro Vice, and Specialized Enforcement.
- Patrol Bureau - Responsible for routine patrol routes. Patrol is broken into four command areas, each representing a section of the city: Falcon Area (northwest), Gold Hill Area (central and southwest), Sand Creek Area (southeast), and Stetson Hills Area (northeast).
Decorations
- Citizens Award of Appreciation - Awarded to members of the general Colorado Springs public (not police officers) who have assisted police or performed heroic acts in order to help prevent or stop criminal activity.
- Department Commendation - Awarded to CSPD employees performing acts that go beyond expected levels of performance and bring credit to the department.
- Life Saving Award - Awarded to any CSPD employee who is directly responsible for the saving of a human life.
- Medal of Valor
- Purple HeartPolice Purple HeartA Law Enforcement Purple Heart is a generic term to describe a United States law enforcement medal which may be issued to any police officer who is wounded or killed in the line of duty. The term is based on the Purple Heart Medal issued by the United States armed forces.As the Police Purple Heart...
- Awarded to officers who are seriously wounded in combat situations while on duty.
Controversy
The CSPD has met with controversy and protest over several high-profile incidents in recent years.The Colorado chapter of the ACLU revealed that, in conjunction with the Denver Police Department
Denver Police Department
The Denver Police Department is the full service police department jointly for the City and County of Denver, Colorado, which provides the full spectrum of police services to the entire county, and may provide contractual security police services to special districts within the county.The current...
, Colorado Springs police had been spying on residents involved in nonviolent protest activity.
During the 2007 St. Patrick's Day parade, the CSPD arrested several peace protesters in what was later found to be a somewhat brutal incident. All of the protesters were senior citizens. One of them, Elizabeth Fineron, was 66 and walked with the assistance of a cane. Ms. Fineron was dragged by police across the street, and suffered bloody abrasions from the incident.
In September 2011, two CSPD officers issued a citation to Hooters
Hooters
Hooters is the trade name of two privately held American restaurant chains: Hooters of America, Incorporated, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Hooters, Incorporated, based in Clearwater, Florida...
and charged a 19-year-old waitress with a misdemeanor for giving alcohol to intoxicated customers. However, further investigation revealed that the officers had ordered beers and had visited two bars prior. Surviallance cameras also revealed that the customers do not appear intoxicated and able to walk without trouble. As a result, the case against the restaurant and waitress was dismissed. CSPD has denied the allegations, but Mayor Steve Bach has ordered an investigation into the officers' conduct.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Colorado Springs Police Department in 1872, a total of 11 officers have died in the line of duty:| Officer | Date of death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Officer Benjamin F. Bish | |
Gunfire |
| Chief of Detectives John W. Rowan | |
Gunfire |
| Detective Sergeant George Kaltenberger | |
Gunfire (accidental) |
| Patrolman Richard S. Birchfield | |
Gunfire |
| Pilot Officer Bernard Livingston Carter | |
Aircraft accident |
| Patrolman Dennis John Ives | |
Vehicular assault |
| Investigator Harry Lee Allen | |
Struck by vehicle |
| Patrolman Augustus J. Perreira Jr. | |
Gunfire |
| Patrolman Mark L. Dabling | |
Gunfire |
| Detective Jared Scott Jensen | |
Gunfire |
| Police Officer Kenneth C. Jordan | |
Gunfire |
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Colorado
- New Life Church shooting
External links
- Colorado Springs Police Department official site, part of SpringsGov.com
- Colorado Springs Police Protective Association