Colorado Springs, Colorado
What's this all about?
The Colorado Springs Police Protective Association is initiating a public education campaign in order to bring to the forefront a different perspective of important issues regarding public safety and police services in our community. We believe that this community needs to hear from the men and women who serve them. In these difficult financial times it is important to understand the ramifications that certain political forces have had, and continue to have in determining the kind of service that the citizens of Colorado Springs receive from its Police Department. It is the wish of this organization that the Police Department can continue to provide the utmost professionalism in police services that our community has enjoyed in the past. However, these services are being threatened for several reasons. This organization is prepared, and willing to discuss those reasons with the community we so proudly serve. back to top
Who are we and why do we care?
The CSPPA represents over 900 police and civilian employees within the Police Department. The organization was founded and operates under the fundamentals that public safety is a core government function that directly impacts our citizens' quality of life. The Police Protective Association believes that the core services the Colorado Springs Police Department provides are now threatened due to a lack of fiscal responsibility by certain individuals and special interest groups within our community. As an association that represents police officers, police employees, and citizens of this community, we believe that an open and honest dialogue is necessary in order to properly inform our community on the state of the Colorado Springs Police Department both in the present and in the future. back to top
Did you know?
Police Officers /Calls for Service and Population Comparisons
(Colorado Springs Police Department Staffing and CFD Rates; Crime Statistics 4/2008)
| Year |
# Authorized
Sworn Officers |
# Population |
Calls for Service |
| 1998 |
526* |
344,719 |
178,379 |
| 2004 |
687* |
380,073 |
219,950 |
| 2008 |
688* |
401,431 |
308,285 |
 In the past 4 years:
- The population of Colorado Springs has grown by 21,358 ( 5.6% )
- Calls for service has increased by 88,335 ( 40% )
- Number of authorized sworn personnel has increased by 1 officer.
*CSPD typically operates with less than the authorized number of sworn officers. Divisions may not be fully staffed due to attrition, budget restrictions, officer injury, etc.
At this time (4/13/09) the CSPD actual number of sworn officers is 652 while authorized to have 688.
Violent Crime Comparisons
| Year |
# of Rapes |
# of Robberies |
# of Murders |
# of Aggravated Assault |
| 2004 |
274 |
349 |
14 |
986 |
| 2008 |
334 |
517 |
24 |
1,124 |
In the past 4 years:
- Number of rapes increased 60 ( 21.9% )
- Number of robberies increased 168 (48.1% )
- Number of murders increased 10 ( 71.4% )
- Number of aggravated assaults increased 138 ( 14% )
- Number of authorized personnel increased by 1 officer.
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What about your neighborhood?
CSPD Patrol Division Comparisons (2008)
(Colorado Springs Police Department ‘Our Service Delivery: A Community Challenge, 8/2008)
| Falcon Division: (northwest sector) |
| Population: |
91,849 |
| Square Miles: |
44 |
| Authorized patrol officers: |
66 |
| Comparison community: |
Greeley Colorado, approximately the same size as Falcon Division, has 75 patrol officers. |
| Stetson Hills Division: (northeast sector) |
| Population: |
118,843 |
| Square Miles: |
64 |
| Authorized patrol officers: |
76 |
| Comparison community: |
Thornton Colorado, approximately the same size as Stetson Hills Division, has 128 patrol officers. |
| Gold Hill Division: (southwest sector) |
| Population: |
103,264 |
| Square Miles: |
42 |
| Authorized patrol officers: |
96 |
| Comparison community: |
Arvada Colorado, approximately the same size as Gold Hill Division, has 115 patrol officers. |
| Sand Creek Division: (southeast sector) |
| Population: |
85,579 |
| Square Miles: |
44 |
| Authorized patrol officers: |
93 |
| Comparison community: |
Greeley Colorado, approximately the same size as Sand Creek Division, has 75 patrol officers. In 2006, Greeley had a serious crime rate of 53.7 per 1,000 people compared to Sand Creek's Division that has 77.3 per 1,000. Serious crimes include murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. |
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The good news is:
(Colorado Springs Police Department, Clearance Rates- 4/2008)
- In 2004, CSPD cleared 56.6% of the violent crime cases as compared to the National Average of 42.6%
- In 2004, CSPD cleared 22.9% of the property crime cases as compared to the National Average of 14.6%
- In 2007, CSPD cleared 51.9% of the violent crime cases as compared to the National Average of 38.2%
- In 2007, CSPD cleared 21.4% of the property crime cases as compared to the National Average of 14.3%
Without a doubt, the sworn personnel of the CSPD are dedicated individuals who are able to clear a higher percentage of cases as compared to the national average. They are able to achieve this admirable statistic even as the number of cases is increasing and the population is growing, yet the number of authorized personnel has increased by 1 officer.
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How much property tax do you pay for public safety?
In 2008 the average house of $267,000 paid $1,291 in property tax.
(City of Colorado Springs Budget in Brief, Feb 2008) Of that amount:
- $936 went to School District #11
- $160 went to El Paso County
- $71 went to the Library
- $19 went to the Southeast Water District
- $105 went to the City of Colorado Springs ( 8% )
Of that $105, $53 goes to public safety (police and fire). That means each household pays $ .15 per day for public safety services. Assuming the average household is 3 people: each person pays just over $ .05 per day for public safety.
Is your life worth $ .05 per day ?
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