PROBLEMS

The Littleton Police Department is suffering from some real problems.

They do not have enough space for the police. This became clear to the City Council five years ago when they read the $131,000 Space Needs Assessment of the Police Department. That study was the first step in a process that cost the taxpayers $739,000 and ended in a defeated proposal to build a 50,000 square foot police facility.

The problems tied to the inadequate space were deemed so important that the council asked the voters for Ten Million Dollars to build and Five Million Dollars more to finish and furnish a police building. Their campaign literature and messages sounded as though a building was urgently needed.

When, to council’s astonishment, the bond election was rejected 55% to 45%, the best they could do was to spend $15,000 more to conduct a poll and two focus groups in an attempt to determine why the bond was defeated.

Then they studied the problem some more but made no progress.

Earlier this year, another consulting firm was hired to so an independent management study of the police department.

That report was issued on September 1 and led to the resignation/retirement of the police chief, effective January 1st.
Given the city managers’ propensity to “kick the tires” the problems will be studied and a worldwide search will begin for an outsider who will offer yet another professional opinion.

What is the council to do?

A NEW IDEA FOR LITTLETON

A new proposal is on the table for the city council to consider. A highly respected citizen of Littleton, who served on city council and has kept abreast of the police department problems, has suggested that city council consider turning over Littleton’s law enforcement functions to the Arapahoe County Sheriff.

That arrangement with the Sheriff’s Department seems to be working well for the City of Centennial.

Sheriff Grayson Robinson is aware of the suggestion and would seriously consider any proposal made by Littleton.

There are several major services that could be performed by the Sheriff’s department for the Littleton Police Department.

Evidence Processing
First, all new evidence could be processed and stored by the Sheriff’s office. The evidence now held by the Littleton Police Department would be kept here under the current system until the statute of limitations expired on the crimes involved and then disposed of according to law.

This is particularly important as evidence storage has been frequently cited by the city staff as a major problem for the police department.
Evidence in major crimes would have to be kept by Littleton, but the evidence in minor crimes would be gone within seven years. That would mean that new long term evidence and property areas would not have to be built.

Crime Lab
Secondly, all crime lab services could be handled by the sheriff’s office. Their staff of seven is highly trained and has all the equipment and facilities needed. This would eliminate the need to build a new lab facility just for Littleton.

SWAT Response
Third, situations requiring a SWAT team could be handled by ACSO, eliminating our need for the specialized equipment and training of officers.

Law Enforcement Dispatching
The fourth area that could solve a problem is for Littleton to contract for dispatch services. Five towns in Arapahoe County use the Sheriff’s dispatch service and Adams County has a well established regional dispatch center.

Major Crime Investigation
Fifth, would be major crime investigation. Their larger investigation department provides for more specialization by the investigators and their greater experience provides a major breakthrough for Littleton victims of crime.

Full Service Law Enforcement
Finally, the ACSO could provide full service law enforcement for Littleton. That would involve retraining all police officers who would remain. Their basic law enforcement training is sufficient, but the paperwork and culture of the ACSO would have to be taught.

Although the retraining could be accomplished for all officers in a month, that may be the least valuable service available to Littleton. We already have a police department with officers who are familiar with the streets and neighborhoods in Littleton and the officers are respected by our citizens.

Overall Impact
If the Sheriff’s Department is providing major professional services for Littleton, the space needed for the police would be reduced.

The number of technicians necessary solely for Littleton would be reduced.

Littleton’s police officers would benefit by having the department’s technical problems solved.

It is time for council to listen to proposed solutions from other people.

The concept of contracting with the Sheriff for the services that could be performed well for the citizens is worth study by the council.