Denver needs new police officers, and the City Council should consider new taxes and new fees for garbage pickup to pay for them, a group studying the matter recommended Wednesday.
While the council’s safety committee did not endorse those recommendations, it did ask Mayor John Hickenlooper’s budget office to determine the impact of adding 40 more officers on top of the 100 Hickenlooper has proposed.
“We’re taking care of the business we’re asked to take care of, but we’re tired, and we’re asking for help,” said Robert Shiller, a technician/field training officer for the Police Department who helped prepare the report.
The issue of whether the police department is properly staffed has surfaced following news reports that show declining numbers of arrests and tickets issued by Denver police.
The report was prepared by Shiller; Earl Peterson, executive director of the Denver Civil Service Commission; and John Bennett, who handles collective bargaining for the Police Protective Association.
It suggests a $1-a-month increase in the city’s head tax, which is paid by everyone who works within the city limits. It also says the council should consider asking voters to pass a public-safety levy.
Hickenlooper has resisted efforts to surpass his hiring goals for police, saying doing so would cut other city services too deeply.
On Wednesday, Mel Thompson, the mayor’s director of budget and management, told the safety committee that the mayor’s plan would alleviate much of the overtime stress that has occurred in recent years.
The mayor has budgeted $2.8 million to hire and train 135 new officers in 2006. But with projected vacancies due to retirements, that would translate to a net gain of 100 officers.
Police Chief Gerry Whitman has said many of those new officers proposed by Hickenlooper actually will fill positions currently being covered by overtime and that the actual increase of officers on the streets will be only about 20.
The report said more officers are needed to alleviate the strain.
“Many officers have worked so many hours that family members are put in the middle of these unreasonable work schedules,” the report said.
The police department is staffed so low that the Hickenlooper administration is risking federal litigation by overstressed officers, the report states.
In fact, the Police Protective Association on Sept. 29 filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, contending the city is violating the federal Fair Labor Standards Act because officers must bank their compensation time due to low staffing.
City Attorney Cole Finegan said the city has, however, complied with Fair Labor Standards and the city’s collective-bargaining agreement.
Still, during the safety committee meeting, police complained about the stress they face when they can’t take compensatory time.
Shiller said one police officer recently took sick time to attend his brother’s wedding.
Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com.
