Colorado police departments limiting in-person services due to COVID-19
Denver and Aurora officers are trying to take more police reports online to limit contact that could spread the novel coronavirus.
DENVER — Multiple police departments across Colorado announced changes to their services Friday after the governor’s office recommended heightened social distancing procedures to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
The Denver Police Department (DPD) said it will implement a “modified report-taking process” to limit the amount of one-on-one interaction officers have with the public. In some cases, officers will take reports and statements via phone call instead of dispatching officers to gather information in-person.
They emphasized this will not impact high-priority, emergency incidents.
“For example, if a resident calls Denver Police to report a property crime that previously occurred, a suspect is no longer present and there is no imminent threat to personal safety, an officer can call the person reporting the crime to obtain the necessary information to create a police report,” a note on DPD’s website reads. “The officer will then determine if additional investigative and/or evidence collection resources are required.”
