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(February 23, 2023) — Aurora Police Department released body worn camera footage today showing a use of force incident that occurred last year. The involved officer was reassigned on Feb. 2 and is currently working in a non-enforcement capacity, pending the outcomes of criminal and internal investigations.

On Aug. 14, 2022, the officer was escorting a suspect out of a local hospital in handcuffs. As they approached the exit, the officer forcefully took the handcuffed suspect to the ground, resulting in facial injuries.

Due to the initial classification and the Force Investigation Unit’s caseload, the August 2022 incident wasn’t reviewed until mid-January 2023. After the preliminary review, the Force Investigation Unit elevated the use of force to a Tier 2 and immediately notified the Office of the Chief of Police.

The Chief of Police authorized an internal investigation into the incident and requested the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to conduct a separate, external criminal investigation.

The criminal investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is complete and was forwarded today to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing formal charges. The internal investigation is ongoing.

The incident has prompted two significant operational changes at the Aurora Police Department to avoid months-long delays of use of force investigations in the future.

All use of force incidents will now be immediately investigated and reviewed by an officer’s supervisor and then evaluated at the district level by the chain of command. If the use of force is questionable or unclear, the case will be elevated to the Force Investigations Unit for immediate review.

Additionally, an internal investigation will take place at the same time as a criminal investigation.

“In the past, when an officer was accused of a crime, the practice has been to wait until the criminal investigation was completed and adjudicated before launching an internal investigation. That is not a good practice,” Aurora police Chief Art Acevedo said. “We will now conduct a parallel internal affairs investigation and take our own independent action based on our findings.”

The Aurora Police Department released footage of the 2022 incident to the media in accordance with state law. The agency is releasing the video to the public as part of our continued commitment to community transparency.

Go to the Aurora Police Department's YouTube channel to view the bodycam.

Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 23, 2023 at 4:15 PM
  
(February 15) An Aurora man has died from injuries he sustained last week in a multi-vehicle crash near the Aurora Mall.

The crash occurred about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, when the man, 51, rear-ended three vehicles stopped at a red light at the intersection of south Abilene Street and south Abilene Court. Aurora Traffic Unit investigators suspect alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash.

The man sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The man died of his injuries Tuesday night. The man’s name and official cause and manner of death will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

No other serious injuries were reported.

This is the 5th traffic-related fatality of 2023.

Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 15, 2023 at 1:36 PM
  
(February 14) The Aurora Police Department’s Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Monday night near the Willow Park neighborhood.

Just before 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, Aurora policer officers responded to a report of multiple shots fired in the 1600 block of S. Chambers Road. When officers arrived at the scene, they found two men in a vehicle with obvious gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

About 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aurora 911 received a call about an apartment in the 1600 block of S. Idalia Street with multiple bullet holes in the front door and front window. Responding officers performed a safety sweep and did not locate any victims inside the home.

Major Crimes Homicide Unit investigators also responded to the scene. Due to evidence recovered from both scenes, investigators think the Idalia Street and Chambers Road incidents are connected.

No suspect or suspect vehicle information is immediately available. The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 14, 2023 at 1:16 PM
  
(February 7) Man dies almost a week after a hit and run crash on South Chambers Road.

On January 28, 2023, at 12:47 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a hit and run crash near the intersection of South Chambers Road and East Tennessee Avenue.

Officers found the driver and a passenger of a Toyota Camry suffering from injuries. Both were transported to the hospital but only the passenger, a 70-year-old man, had life-threatening injuries. Sadly, on February 3, the man died from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation responded to the scene and closed South Chambers Road for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed the Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on South Chambers Road. A silver Toyota Corolla was leaving a private driveway, just south of East Tennessee Avenue, trying to turn left to go northbound on South Chambers Road. This vehicle did not yield to oncoming traffic, causing a collision. The driver of the Corolla did not stop after the crash, drove away from the scene and has not yet been identified.

Investigators need your help identifying the vehicle and driver of this hit and run. The vehicle is believed to be a 2014-2016 silver Toyota Corolla which should have significant damage to the driver's side of the car and airbags deployed. The license plate is unknown. We have included a picture of the vehicle below. If you witnessed the crash or have any information, and you have not already spoken to investigators, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

This is the 4th traffic related fatality of 2023.

Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095

Suspect Vehicle
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 07, 2023 at 4:12 PM
  

National 30x30 Pledge aims to improve public safety, community outcomes and trust in law enforcement


AURORA, Colo. - The Aurora Police Department (APD) has signed The 30x30 Pledge, a commitment to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030 and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30x30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.

"This pledge means that the Aurora Police Department is actively working toward improving the representation and experiences of women officers in our agency,” APD Police Chief Art Acevedo said. “Currently, about 11 percent of our sworn officers are female, which is right around the national average. We are proud to be among the many agencies in the nation to make this critical commitment to growing that number over the next seven years, which will greatly benefit our department and the community we serve."

Nationwide, women make up only 12 percent of sworn officers and 3 percent of police leadership in the U.S. This underrepresentation of women in policing has significant public safety implications. Research suggests that women officers:
• Use less force and less excessive force.
• Are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits.
• Are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate.
• See better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases.

The Aurora Police Department is taking several steps to reach its goal through informational academies for women to encourage greater recruitment, target recruitment towards organizations, activities and events that are supportive of women, create a realistic preview of the job, greater support through the recruitment and application process, providing resources and strategies for success in physical testing and academy process, increased appearances of women in internal and external marketing and recruiting campaigns so women can see themselves in the profession, highlighting achievements of women currently within APD, and promoting work/life balance.

The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30x30 Initiative – a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States.

More than 250 agencies – from major metro departments including the New York City Police Department, to mid-sized, rural, university and state policing agencies – have signed the 30x30 Pledge. The Pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities.

The 30x30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

"We are grateful to Aurora for committing to being a part of this growing movement" said Maureen McGough, co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative, Chief of Staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. "We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow APD’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing."

For more information, visit 30x30initiative.org.

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Office
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 06, 2023 at 9:13 AM
  
(February 2) One teenage girl is dead after an automobile versus pedestrian crash on East Colfax Avenue.

On February 1, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. Aurora 911 began receiving calls about a crash at the intersection of East Colfax Avenue and Moline Street involving two teenage pedestrians.

A boy and girl, both 15-years-old, were transported to the hospital. The girl was suffering from life-threatening injuries and tragically died from her injuries last night. The boy had serious injuries and is expected to survive. The identity of the girl will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once next of kin has been notified.

The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation responded to the scene and closed East Colfax Avenue for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed a Jeep Wrangler was traveling eastbound on East Colfax Avenue. The pedestrians were crossing East Colfax Avenue, walking from the north side of the street to the south. The pedestrians were in the crosswalk, crossing Colfax against traffic, while the Jeep had the right-of-way.

While neither intoxication nor speed appear to be contributing factors, the investigation is ongoing. If you witnessed the crash or have any information, and you have not already spoken to investigators, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

This is the 3rd traffic related fatality of 2023.

Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 02, 2023 at 12:16 PM