One of the most successful programs at the Aurora Police Department is the Police Area Representatives (PAR) Teams. Started in 1983, the program was an inventive departure from traditional policing concepts and emphasized sensitivity and responsiveness to citizen concerns. Today, law enforcement has moved toward the community policing concept and the PAR teams are the most visible aspect of the community policing philosophy. PAR officers are responsible for establishing bonds with the community that allow for problems to be identified and then prevented or solved. PAR officers have the flexibility to gather citizen input, alter work hours, develop and implement new policing strategies, and bring additional resources to bear on problems that have been identified by the community.

PAR teams are located in all three districts. PAR teams consists of several officers supervised by a PAR team sergeant. District One has two PAR Teams. Each PAR Officer is assigned to specific geographical area within the city and takes ownership of the problem solving process within their assigned geographical area. You are likely to run across your PAR officer as he/she patrols in a marked police vehicle, bicycle, on foot, in plain clothes, or at a community meeting.

The vision of the Aurora Police Department is that Aurora will become the safest large city in America by: reducing crime and the fear of crime; partnering with the community to identify and solve problems; and by operating the department efficiently. The department’s PAR units are an important element and a part of the overall strategy of the police department in making the vision a reality. If you don’t know who your PAR Officer is please review the below link introduce yourself to them.

Helpful Resources and Links:

Neighborhood Watch
Nextdoor
Neighborhood PAR Officer