CRPD In The News

Safest Cities in 2022

The Castle Rock Police Department is honored again to be recognized as one of Colorado’s safest cities. Safewise released its list of Colorado’s Safest Cities 2022, and Castle Rock ranked number 12. Castle Rock was ranked the highest for any city serving more than 30,000 residents. We are very proud of this achievement. This is due in part to the CRPD staff members (both sworn and professional staff), our innovation, and great partnerships with residents and other Town employees that we have been able to thrive as a community.

Castle

Rock’s Dirt Jumps and Donuts provides fun for the next generation

For five years, daredevils and cops meet in Rhyolite Park to race down dirt trails, test their mettle on jumps and connect over free doughnuts. Castle Rock police host Dirt Jumps and Donuts, an event for area kids, periodically from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. The event was created by Castle Rock Police Department’s Community Partnership Unit in 2017 to build relationships with the next generation while actively participating in fun activities. The School Resource Unit officers began to join the group regularly in 2021.

“Our Community Partnership officers are bike certified through the International Police Mountain Bike Association,” said Seth Morrissey, a Castle Rock police officer.

“Dirt Jumps and Donuts gives us the chance to have fun with Castle Rock’s youth and bond over our passion for biking – and donuts. We also have an opportunity to teach some of them how to safely ride on trails.”

The July 26 Dirt Jumps and Donuts drew an estimated 75 kids. At one point, the event was planned every second and fourth Thursday of the month, weather permitting. However, the schedule was disrupted and now events are announced a couple of days in advance on the Castle Rock social media pages. The Donut House on Wilcox Street provides the doughnuts. Participants must bring their own bikes, helmets and water.

Willard, H. (2022, July 29) Castle Rock’s Dirt Jumps and Donuts provides fun for the next generation Newsbreak. Https://www.newsbreak. com/news/2685661167983-castle-rocks-dirt-jumps-and-donuts-provides-fun-for-the-next-generation?noAds=1&_f=app_share&s=i2

Castle Rock Police Chief presents at international police chief conference

Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley presented information about the “one by one policing” method he implemented in the department at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference held in Dallas. The IACP conference was held Oct. 15-18 and attracted thousands of law enforcement professionals to network, attend educational workshops and presentations, and explore career-related products. Cauley partnered with Chief Chris Hsiung of Mountain View Police Department, California, to share their presentation, “Changing Culture in a Police Organization: A New Path for Modern Policing.”

“I was incredibly humbled to see so many people at our presentation,” Cauley said. “We have a real opportunity to evolve the policing profession, but understand the evolution must come from the inside-out. It was an honor to share our One-By-One Policing philosophy with chiefs and sheriffs from around the world.”

This presentation was submitted by Cauley and Hsiung, although the California chief could not attend. The pair met through a mutual friend — another police chief — and found they had a lot in common, especially regarding culture and values.

The pair’s presentation focused on police culture, advocating for a healthy and adaptive culture by examining two nationally recognized policing cultures and the factors, values and leadership approaches that help departments grow and flourish despite policing’s constantly changing and difficult environment. The presentation was also drawn from Simon Sinek’s latest book, The Infinite Game. The chiefs planned to share what it looks like to build progressive cultures in their departments. In fall 2021, Cauley was appointed to the IACP’s Board of Directors to represent agencies of 100-249 sworn officers through 2024.

Willard, H. (2022, October 20). Castle Rock police chief presents at international police chief conference | Heather Willard. NewsBreak Original. Https://original.newsbreak.com/@heather-willard-1592376/2793493977574-castle-rock-police-chief-presents-atinternational-police-chief-conference?s=ws_tw

Families in Castle Rock enjoy Touch-a-Truck, with 1 hour devoted to sound-sensitive visitors

Children in Castle Rock had a chance to have some fun with some big rigs over the weekend. The sixth annual Touch-a-Truck rolled into the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Kids of all ages got to beep horns, blast the sirens and climb inside all the vehicles. But it wasn’t all loud. There was a silent hour for kids with sensory issues.

“This is our first time to the event. So we thought after seeing the flyer they mentioned that they do a little bit of a quiet hour,” said mother Nicole Thomas. “So Lucas here doesn’t like loud noises too much. He covers his ears. So we thought this would be a great opportunity to see all the trucks and get up close and personal without having the loud noises scare him off.” Castle Rock police spokesman Jacob Coyle said one of the goals of the event is to make people more comfortable with first responders.

“Yeah, it does definitely allow an opportunity for younger kids -- kids of all ages, really -- and adults to come out and talk with police officers, firefighters, different agencies of the government. That way they can get to know them better and get to know what they do more and not be so potentially scared of them when they encounter them out on the street.” Proceeds from food sales at the event went to help families affected by a recent deadly car crash involving a car with four students from Castle View High School inside. CBSColorado.com Staff. (2022, August 20). Families in Castle Rock enjoy Touch-a-Truck, with 1 hour devoted to sound-sensitive visitors Cbsnews.com.

Https://www.cbsnews.com/Colorado/news/touch-a-truck-castle-rock-sound-sensitive-visitors/

‘They help me calm down’: New therapy dog a big hit for Castle Rock students

Mesa Middle School In Castle Rock starts the school year with a new big dog on campus--Rocket, a one-year-old husky who is the [school] resource officer’s new police therapy dog. “What he does is really cool,” said 8th grader Jesiah Craft. “I hear them talk in the halls about how they love him and how cute he is,” said student Chloe Simpson. Rocket is there to help students in crisis and his handler Officer Luke Godfrey says he’s already made a huge impact.

“A little boy, you know said to me?” Officer Godfrey asked CBS4’s Michael Abeyta.

“[He said] ‘Can you stay with me for a little while?’ And I had Rocket with me, and he’s like, ‘I just want to be with Rocket,’” said Officer Godfrey.

“He got down on the floor, and there were tears coming out of his eyes, and I don’t know what specifically was going on with this child, but I know he was having a bad day. He petted Rocket for about five minutes, wiped the tears from his face and said thank you,” recounted Godfrey. By helping kids conquer their anxieties and frustrations, Rocket is doing an important job. Especially today, when many students are struggling with mental health. Officer Godfrey says he can get almost any student to calm down even in the toughest situation. “They are able to go and send their messages to the dog, you know, just by petting them, and it has a release of endorphins. And it just makes them feel so much better about whatever situation it is,” said Officer Godfrey.

If you don’t believe him, just ask the students how much he is helping them. They will eagerly tell you. “They help me calm down. They’re fun to play with. They’re good support animals. Definitely, they’re a good best friend when you need to have someone to cry to,” said Chloe Simpson.

Abeyta, M. (2022, September). “They help me calm down”: New therapy dog a big hit for Castle Rock students. Cbsnews.com. Https://www.cbsnews.com/Colorado/news/new-therapy-dog-castle-rock-students/