Policies

Good policies and training help police officers make the best possible decisions in critical situations. They also establish expectations for professional and ethical conduct for all department employees. Policies make sure law enforcement agencies comply with laws, industry standards, and case law. The Parker Police Department is accredited with excellence by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) ensuring that our policies meet national industry best practice standards. CALEA accreditation is a management model and a blueprint for self-improvement, which strengthens accountability within the agency and to the community it serves. All of our policies are reviewed regularly and changes are made when best practices are updated and advanced.

Below are the policies we have to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of members of the public.

BIAS-BASED POLICING PROHIBITED POLICY 

  • The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on reducing the presence of bias in law enforcement actions and to reaffirm the Department’s commitment to unbiased law enforcement. We document all traffic contacts, not just tickets; to ensure we have data to identify issues with unfair or discriminatory police contacts.

IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM

  • This policy aids supervisors in identifying Department members whose performance warrants review and/or circumstances that may have negative consequences for the member, fellow members, this Department and/or the general public, and, where appropriate, intervention to address performance issues or other circumstances.

IMMIGRATION STATUS

  • The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for providing police services to all persons within the Town of Parker regardless of their immigration status.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITY

  • This policy outlines the conduct and responsibility of Department members both on and off duty.

RECORDING POLICE ACTIVITY

  • The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for the use of audio, visual and imaging recording devices. The use of Department-approved body worn camera systems can provide powerful evidence of criminal activity and has proven to be a valuable tool for law enforcement in documenting enforcement members’ honesty, integrity, and professionalism. The Parker Police Department’s Body-Worn Camera policy was commended by the American Civil Liberties Union and Upturn, for being fair and equitable in protecting civil rights and privacy.

  • ACLU Article, Upturn Report, Parker Chronicle Story, CBS Denver Story.

USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE POLICY

  • This policy establishes procedures governing the use of force by commissioned officers of the Department.

  • Carotid neck restraints (chokeholds) are considered excessive force and are prohibited.

  • Our training emphasizes de-escalation techniques, the dangers of neck restraints and the science behind positional asphyxia.

  • Pursuant to national best practices, we recognize 6 distinct levels of control and 6 distinct levels of resistance in our force continuum.