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PD - Patrol

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1. What if I feel that I did not like the level of service I received, can I comment on such service?

Citizens who feel the level of service they received was not satisfactory should contact the on-duty shift supervisor at 303-237-2220 for an immediate response or explanation regarding the service provided. Any comments, positive or negative, may also be referred to the Professional Standards Office at 303-235-2908.

2. Can I call an Officer to unlock my car when I locked my keys inside?

Only under emergency circumstances. In most instances, you should contact someone who can obtain a spare set of keys for you. Otherwise, you will need to contact a locksmith or some tow companies carry equipment to gain access. The police and fire departments will assist if an emergency situation exists (small child locked in the car, extreme cold, dangerous location or conditions, etc.).

3. Can a civilian ride with Wheat Ridge Police Officers?

A Ride-A-Long gives a citizen the opportunity to ride with a Wheat Ridge Police Officer on Patrol. Citizens can complete a Ride-A-Long form at the Police Department located at 7500 W. 29th Ave. The form cannot be completed on-line, as the department requires a signature to waive any action or claim against the City of Wheat Ridge in case of injury, damages, etc.
The following policies apply:
• Must be a citizen of Wheat Ridge.
• Must be a minimum of 16 years of age (Requires a Parent or Guardian signature if under 18)
• Must schedule the ride date and time at least one week in advance of the requested date.
• One ride-a-long per year is permitted.
• Rider is responsible for own transportation to and from the Police Department
Ride-A-Longs are subject to cancellation at any time at the discretion of the officer or team supervisor(s). Please call 303-235-2944 for more information.

The police department Ride-A-Long application can be found on this web site in Police Department under Ride-A-Long tab.

How do I swear out a warrant on an individual?

Citizens do not swear out warrants. Citizens need to file a complaint with the police department. If probable cause exists that someone has committed a crime the officer will apply for a warrant if appropriate.

4. How do I get a warrant/civil summons?

You need to seek legal council if you have a civil issue. The police do not handle civil issues other than to enforce an order from the court. Citizens need to file a complaint with the police department at 303-237-2220. If probable cause exists that someone has committed a crime the officer will apply for a warrant if appropriate

5. Does the City have noise regulations?

It is unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be made or to permit or assist another to make, continue or cause to be made, any unreasonable noise which, under all of the circumstances presented, would annoy, injure or endanger the comfort, repose or peace of a person of ordinary sensitivities. The following noises and circumstances shall be deemed as prima facie unreasonable. Refer to Section 16-103 of the City Code for the full regulation.

6. How are crimes classified?

Crimes are classified into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies are more serious offenses and include crimes such as murder, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, and others. Felonies may be punishable by a sentence to the Department of Corrections (i.e. prison). Misdemeanors may be punishable by a citation and/or up to and including a sentence to the County Jail.

7. Who starts the investigation?

When a citizen calls to report a crime, an officer is usually sent to initiate the report. The responding officer conducts the initial investigation and is responsible for the collection of evidence. If the crime is serious or complex, the officer may request assistance from Investigations or the Crime Lab. Some reports may be taken by phone by the Telephone Reporting Unit at 303-980-7300. This is offered as a convenient service to citizens. For certain crimes, the citizen may be referred directly to Investigations to speak to a detective.

8. Are BB Guns illegal?

Section 16-88 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws states: It is unlawful for any person to willfully, maliciously or recklessly throw, shoot or project any stone, arrow, pellet, dart, ball bearing, or other dangerous missile at or against the person, animal, building, structure, personal property, fixture or vehicle of another; except, that the provision of the section shall not apply to a person throwing, projecting or shooting any such dangerous missile at any animal in order to protect his person or property or the person or property of another from physical injury.

9. Does the City have a car seat program?

The Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District has firefighters in the Wheat Ridge area fire stations who are trained to install car seats and teach parents the correct and safe way to keep their child restrained in an automobile. There are many valuable tips the firefighters can give regarding child restraint systems. Parents can be taught in one quick and easy session how to properly install a car seat in the vehicle. There is a car seat technician at every station; however, scheduling conflicts may leave a fire crew a bit short at times. The best advice is to call your neighborhood fire station to see what is the best time and date for a car seat technician to inspect/install your child's safety seat. Call Wheat Ridge Fire headquarters at 303-403-5900.

10. What are the curfew laws?

The statutes concerning curfew are: Sec. 62-151. Definitions. Sec. 62-152. Curfew. Sec. 62-153. Exceptions. Sec. 62-154. Parental failure to supervise.
“Except as set forth in section 62-153, it shall be unlawful for any minor 17 years of age or younger to be or to loiter in a public place, unsupervised by an adult having the lawful authority to be in such public place where the minor is or is loitering, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on any day and 6:00 a.m. of the following day; except that on Saturday and Sunday the effective hours of this prohibition are between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m.” Refer to the statutes for more information.

11. I’m having a dispute with a neighbor. What can I do?

If you and your neighbor are unable to talk your problems out, you may want to contact the department’s non emergency number 303-237-2220 or come to the police department to discuss the situation with an officer. Depending on the type of conflicts, an officer may refer you and your neighbor to mediation or to a specialized unit within the department.

12. I’m getting harassing emails. Is there something I can do?

If someone is harassing you via e-mail, you can come into the police department, located at 7500 W. 29th Ave., and make a complaint/report, or you can contact the non-emergency line at 303-237-2220. The determination as to whether charges will be filed will be made once all of the facts are sorted and an investigation is completed. NOTE: If you plan to file a complaint or a police report it is important that you do not delete the emails which you find harassing.

13. What do I do when I see an emergency vehicle?

o React quickly and calmly and scan in all directions before pulling over. Always use a turn signal and don’t slam on the brakes or pull over suddenly.
o Carefully pull your vehicle to the right side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.
o If at an intersection, or stopped in traffic, drivers should remain stopped and wait until the emergency vehicles have passed.
o Once the emergency vehicle has passed remain 500 feet or more behind the vehicle.
o Drivers on the opposite side of the road of the emergency vehicle should pull over as well, unless there is a raised divider in the street.

14. Is it legal to carry an unconcealed handgun in Wheat Ridge?

Colorado's Open Carry law does allow for the unconcealed carry of a weapon. There are limitations and homeowners/business owners/government building can restrict this carry under certain provisions in the law. We would suggest you get a complete copy of the law from the State Website. Also, you might want to weigh the alarm caused by carrying a weapon in public vs. your need for the weapon. Pointing/discharging the weapon at anyone could make you subject to many criminal laws and you would have to assert your self protection defense in court. You may want to discuss this with your attorney prior to making a final decision.

15. What are the laws concerning knives?

Switch blades, Gravity Knives, Stiletto’s and Spring Loaded knives are illegal and therefore no reputable dealer can sell these to you. Simple possession of these objects is a crime should you decide to purchase from a non-reputable dealer. Any knife you purchase that has a blade in excess of 3 ½ inches cannot be carried or it is a violation of law.

16. I’m locked out of my house. Can you help me get in?

No. Since you are the owner, you can break a window to make entry or call a locksmith. Being prepared for this occurrence is a wiser course of action. Leave a key with a nearby relative or neighbor whom you trust or find a secure out-of-the way outside location for an extra key. If you contract with an alarm company, look into special programs they might have to address this issue.

17. How quickly will an officer respond to my call?

Staffing levels for the Wheat Ridge Police department depend on a variety of variables. Each shift is staffed based upon an analysis of crime statistics on a yearly basis; average response times to emergency calls and call saturation predictions. This is balanced with other programs requiring staffing- criminal investigations; school resource officers; etc.

Statistically, the WRPD dispatch center answers approximately 200,000 phone calls per year. Of the calls received, officers are dispatched to nearly 50,000 calls for service and officers generate another 50,000 police events. Many times our call load exceeds the number of officers available to respond immediately. Therefore we must prioritize calls for service.

In general, we are fortunate that we are able to respond to true emergency calls within three minutes. These are obviously our first priority. Other calls are divided in three additional categories of varying priority. All calls are dispatched according to where they fall within this prioritization (based upon all calls holding at any given time period). This is a dynamic process- a call which maybe the first to be dispatched at one moment, then may fall to 4-5 within seconds depending on what new calls come to the dispatch center.

Generally, calls are prioritized based upon 1) the gravity of the offense (what type of crime is being committed), 2) the urgency of action ( is someone being hurt or is someone is in danger) and 3) Probability of apprehension (are the perpetrators still at the location). This is the same basis used for assigning follow-up investigations. Many times a single event (especially vandalism or car break-ins) is not "cleared" by catching the suspects while they are committing the crime. Often we have to conduct an analysis of many separate events, using pieces of information learned from each of these events, to make a criminal case. We employ two analysts to assist with this task. Unfortunately, the clearance rate for these types of crimes is not high, either in Wheat Ridge or other parts of the country. The Wheat Ridge Police Department strongly encourages you to report all incidents to us so we can examine all the pieces as outlined above. If an officer has not followed-up with you as promised, we encourage you to contact the shift supervisor thru our dispatch center 303-237-2220.

18. What should I do if I get pulled over by a patrol officer?

When safe, pull to the right side of the road and stop in a safe location. Wait for the officer to contact you. He/she will likely ask for your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. If there is anything in your vehicle that could be considered a threat to the officer, let them know. Never exit the vehicle unless directed by the officer.

19. Where do you take arrested persons?

The Wheat Ridge Police Department does not have a jail. Arrestees are taken to the Jefferson County Jail in Golden. For more information call 303-271-5444.