Denver Battling Shortage Of Police Officers As Violent Crimes Increase

Denver CO

20 August, 2021

3:50 PM

Description

By Shaun Boyd, CBS Denver: DENVER (CBS4) – As violent crime increases, the City of Denver is scrambling to hire more police officers. While its population has grown by nearly 150,000 people over the last decade, its police force has shrunk by about 100 officers. Police Chief Paul Pazen says they're stretched to the limit. "Our officers are struggling to address the 911 calls for service, that they're going call to call to call and our response times increasing as a result of that," he said. He says the department is authorized for nearly 1,600 officers, but between budget cuts last year and retirements this year, it's down 8%, or 140 officers. At the same time, 911 calls are up 8% over a three-year average. Read more at CBS Denver CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.