Special Operations Division

Commander Mark Galvan manages the Special Operations Division including 20 sworn officers, 2 professional staff, and 7 volunteers

3-sergeants, 1-training officer, 5-Community Partnership Unit officers, 5-school resource officers, 1-community response team officer, 4-traffic officers, 1-downtown liaison officer. The division is supported by 2-animal control officers, 5-community safety volunteers and 2-administrative volunteers.

The Special Operations Division specializes in the following units or teams:

• Animal Control

• Community Partnership Unit, incl. Community Response Team, Downtown Liaison Officer, Navigator Officer

• School Resource Officers

• Traffic

• Training

• Volunteers in Policing, including the Explorer Post

Animal Control Unit (ACU)

The unit is comprised of two fulltime animal control officers and is responsible for animal licensing, animals at large, dangerous animals, returning lost animals to their owners, barking dogs, investigating dog bites and animal cruelty. In 2022, animal licensing compliance decreased 20 percent (730 from 914 the prior year). Information on how to license your pet is found within CRPD’s police website: CRgov.com/AnimalLicensing.

Community Events

Special Operations works closely with other agencies and is responsible for staffing the appropriate police personnel for Town-sponsored events and many outside vendors. More event information is found on the Town’s website: CRgov.com/Events.

Community Partnership Unit (CPU)

CPU addresses community issues and works proactively in reducing crimes within the community. This unit is dedicated to solving crimes and resolving citizens’ concerns by working with and gaining support from the community. The most effective solutions include coordinating relationships between the police, citizens, local government and businesses to address the problems affecting the community. CPU officers utilize problemsolving methods such as Crime Free Multi-Housing and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) programs to address a variety of community issues (e.g., homeowners associations, downtown parking, community events, graffiti and school-related concerns). These officers work daily to engage the community in a variety of ways, including Town and HOA meetings, surveys, interest groups, and other programs (e.g., Citizens Police Academy, National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop).

Community Response Team (CRT)

CRT is a partnership with Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and numerous civilian agencies in the Metro area dealing with mental health concerns. The collaborative unit is comprised of six teams, consisting of an officer or deputy teamed up with a mental health clinician. These teams go into the field and work with those in crisis, freeing up patrol officers to deal with emergencies and other assigned duties. A case manager supports and guides those in need to available community resources. Currently, each team works 40-hours per week dealing with people in crisis and conducting follow-up sessions.

School Resource Officers (SRO)

Under the supervisory direction of a sergeant, and in partnership with the Douglas County School District, five fulltime school resource officers dedicate their time during the school year to the Town’s elementary, alternative, middle and high schools. They provide additional school security, student mentoring, and are a valuable resource to school staff members.

Traffic Unit

Castle Rock promotes traffic safety by requiring specificallytrained officers to be dedicated to crash investigation, enforcement of state and municipal traffic laws, traffic complaints and drunk-driving recognition. Under a sergeant’s supervision, the unit consists of four officers enforcing traffic laws and improving road safety. 3D-animated crash diagramming provides more complex crash scenes allowing officers to open roadways faster with a more detailed overview of a crash scene. This unit continues to partner with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) in making local and state roadways safer through programs like Click-It or Ticket, DUI campaigns and CDOT’s Traffic Incident Management Program.

Training Unit

Providing officers with the most relevant and high-quality training and equipment is among CRPD’s top priorities. Overseeing this enormous task is the responsibility of the Training Unit. Total annual training hours increased over the past several years (7,222 in 2020 to 9,898 in 2022), which was approximately 114 training hours per officer, well above the 24 hours required by Colorado P.O.S.T. More statistical data is on p. 18. In addition to facilitating quality training, this unit is responsible for:

• Testing / evaluating uniforms

• Testing / evaluating equipment; managing weapons inventory

• Managing fleet services

Volunteers in Policing (VIPS)

Volunteers serve CRPD in several ways and are appreciated for all the hours they graciously donate each year (p. 20) or more information on volunteering: CRgov.com/Police.

Explorer Post

CRPD’s Explorer Post began in 2004 and is led by Corporal A. Lane and Officer T. Thompson. With an interest in a policing career, these 14 to 21-year-old members receive many hours of training each year. The explorers assist CRPD officers with Town events, incidents, and participate in various community service projects. This year the post averaged 14 explorers. Collectively, they donated 2,063 hours (11 percent decrease from 2021; 96 percent increase from 2020).