Portal:State Local Agencies

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Colorado State Government Departments and Agencies

The following Colorado Departments and Agencies provide services that relate to DoPN key issues

Corrections

FORGE; to advance ahead, gradually but steadily. Successful re-entry into society begins here. The program will help former offenders rejoin society faster and with greater success. For details, see the FORGES Resource Guide.

Education

Health Care Policy and Financing

Higher Education

Human Services

Labor and Employment

Law

Local Affairs

Public Health and Environment

Public Safety

Metro Denver Departments and Agencies

The following Colorado Departments and Agencies provide services that relate to our key issues.


Metro Denver Gang Coalition

Arapahoe County Sheriff's Department

Detention/Administrative Services Bureau

Alternative Sentencing Programs

The Alternative Sentencing Section (ASP) operates four individual programs:

  • Work Release,
  • Weekenders,
  • Home Detention and the
  • Multiple Offender Programs (MOP).

ASP allows the inmate to serve their sentence and still maintain their employment to meet their financial obligations. ASP deputies

  • conduct job site.
  • home checks.
  • communicate with employers and the community.
  • enlist community cooperation and support for the goals of the programs.
  • perform random tests on inmates for alcohol and/or drug consumption.
  • communicate closely with various businesses, employers, courts, educational institutions, *social services/child welfare departments and other law enforcement agencies.
Role of DoPN

The Alternative Sentencing Programs applies court ordered sentences AND addresses the practical consideration that incarceration does not allow the offender to be remain productive.

  • The DoPN will support, encourage, and provide updated resources for this program based on Best Practices across the country
  • DoPN will offer elements of Restorative Justice where victim compensation is appropriate.

The Arapahoe Sheriff’s Training and Employment Program (ASTEP).

The goal is to assist the inmate to re-enter society as a productive taxpaying citizen. ASTEP shares many of the community policing objectives that form the partnership between the community and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. amd it works with inmates and community business to help the inmates to develop a good work ethic.

A-Step provides a partnership with the community and the Sheriff's Office with the goal of providing inmates with real life job experience, education, and therapy. Drug, alcohol, domestic violence, and GED classes are offered to all ASTEP inmates.

ASTEP works with inmates to develop a good work ethic, the ability to be a good team member and an enhanced feeling of self worth. The goal is to return participants back to society as productive citizens and employees. All funds derived from ASTEP are kept within the program with a goal of keeping it self-sustaining. ASTEP is carefully designed to provide only services to members of our business community, and not to become a competitor in any way. Both male and female inmates participate in this program and are interviewed for placement into ASTEP once they are sentenced.

ASTEP inmates earn monthly paychecks to help pay restitution, court costs, or to send money home to their families. Some inmates are paid by the hour and some are paid by piecework, depending on their job assignment.

The quality and consistency of the program is an extremely high priority and is very important in the relationship that we have developed with our companies. ASTEP has been modeled by other facilities across the country and has gained national recognition by the National Correctional Industries Association.

Role of DoPN

The Arapahoe Sheriff’s Training and Employment Program would be supported by the DoPN because it implements the many DoPN Mission elements - including rehabilitation

  • The DoPN will support, encourage, and provide updated resources for this program based on Best Practices across the country
  • DoPN will offer elements of Restorative Justice where victim compensation is appropriate.

Programs Section

Provide instruction in many areas including

  • substance abuse and
  • domestic violence.
  • provides educational, religious and self improvement classes for the inmates.
  • Cognitive Education Classes that offer inmates an examination of the impact their thoughts have on their behavior and lives.
  • over 50 programs are offered to inmates on a weekly basis
  • help tutor in the GED classes
  • facilitate AA meetings.
  • Pre-release program
    • Inmates attend courses preparing them for job searches, interviewing, resume preparation, and job readiness.
    • Staffed predominantly by volunteers (160 volunteers and 100 professional clergy.)
    • Several different religious groups actively conduct services.
    • Professional clergy meet with inmates on an individual basis to provide religious support.


Role of the DoPN

The DoPN would support, encourage, and be able to provide resources in this area based on visibility into the Nation’s Best Practices. These programs definitely help those who are able and willing to change their behavior and become productive citizens.

Substance abuse is considered a form of “self-inflicted” violence. Violence is any action that prevents a person from reaching their potential.

Domestic violence is one of the key issues identified in the HR808 legislation to establish the DoPN.

Civil Unit

The Civil Unit is responsible for the service of civil papers and the execution of civil process throughout Arapahoe County.

The Civil Deputy fulfills the Sheriff’s statutory obligation to serve civil papers and execute civil process as directed by the various courts of the county.

The majority of the processes received concern:

  • Landlord/tenant relations, evictions
  • Matters involving domestic relations, i.e. protection orders, separation orders, etc…
  • During 2006, there were 10,205 court processes presented to the Sheriff’s Office for service.


Role of DoPN
  • The DOPN would provide resources in the area of dispute mediation – specifically for landlord / tenants
  • key issues of the DOPN include “domestic violence / spouse abuse / child abuse.” This additional support will address root cause and should reduce the number of cases that escalate to physical violence and require Law Enforcement intervention. Historically, the “red flags” that appear in domestic violence situations are ignored and the situation escalates to physical violence / and even homicide. Shelters / abuse victim protection would be encouraged / coordinated by the DOPN.

Professional Standards Bureau

Making a Difference: E-Mail Advisory

E-mail Advisory was created as a way for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to communicate with the citizens we serve and at the same time seek our citizen’s assistance in helping us solve crime[9].

E-mail Advisory is used as a type of news broadcast, giving information on recent criminal activity, descriptions of suspects/ vehicles being sought, selected Special Reports on various crimes, all media releases and also crime prevention tips. Although the Advisory was initially set up to alert citizens to crime, it was also found that it is a useful tool in helping the Sheriff’s Office obtain leads and solve crime.

A successful use of the E-Mail Advisory to help us solve crime is when we publish store surveillance pictures of suspects involved in various crimes, including fraud, forgery, theft and identity theft. Store surveillance can capture an image of a suspect or suspects, but without a name or identification to attach to the picture, the case normally goes unsolved.

The Crime Analyst prepares a “Wanted Poster” showing the unknown suspect or suspects and a general description of the crime. These “Wanted Posters” are then sent out on the E-Mail Advisory and citizens often recognize and respond with names and identifications, providing further leads in the case.

Role of DoPN

This program appears to be a great initiative – and is consistent with the DOPN’s emphasis on early detection where non-violence intervention is most appropriate to de-escalate the situation before it becomes physically violent.

The Email/Internet Advisory may be a way for local citizen to identify areas of concern, where people may need help – this early identification of potential problems occurs before any “laws” have been broken,” but there is a strong indication of unresolved conflict that will escalating if left unmanaged.

Public Safety Bureau

Community Resource Unit

The Community Resource Unit is comprised of school resource officers (SRO) and crime prevention specialists who provide a variety of educational and safety services to the community.

  • assist with the development of crisis plans, staff and faculty training as well as classroom education.
  • help provide safe learning environments for our children.
    • The Adopt a school program was developed in 2006 by our patrol staff to increase the level of contact between school district staff, students and our precinct deputies. Deputies assigned to dayshift teams have been assigned to specific elementary schools within their areas of patrol. Deputies stop by the administrative offices where they check in with the staff, then walk around the schools interacting with the students. We have found that this program provides the school children and those who work within in the buildings a sense of safety and comfort.
    • SRO’s are assigned to work in all of our high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.

The National Law Enforcement Alive at 25 program is a nationwide collaboration of law enforcement agencies who have the mission of reducing automobile crashes involving young drivers and passengers. This interactive four-hour program encourages young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 to take responsibility for their driving behavior. In 2006, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office instructed Alive at 25 to approximately 300 drivers.

Role of DoPN

These are outstanding programs and will receive DoPN support because there are many positive elements embedded in these initiatives including :

  • contributes to a safe learning environment – essential if we expect our youth to reach their full potential
  • teaches important “Life Skills”
  • provides assets for Positive Youth Development (i.e. evidence that the larger community is concerned about each youth and their well being – provides a bond to the larger community – etc.)

Recently (9 Dec 2007), a young man (age 24) living in Arapahoe County, travelled outside the county where he shot and killed 4 people, injured several others, and then shot himself. An Arapahoe County officer reviewed the shooter's request to purchase fire arms and 1000 rounds of ammunition. No laws were being broken and the young man was legally able to purchase the tools he needed to carry out his plan of violence. In retrospect, there were numerous "red flags" in the preceding days, months, years before the fatal incident that indicated this young man was very distressed

The Alive at 25 program for young drivers is intended to "prevent" the dangerous use of automobiles and therefore prevent car accidents and fatalities.

There is no prevention program for youth that will identify and provide appropriate help for youth in extreme distress. Researchers do know that this distress can be the result of being unable to deal with long term issues at school, at home /unresolved conflicts / violent subjugation / bullying / mental illness / etc. Law Enforcement should not be expected to implement such a Public Safety program alone. Such a prevention program requires a coordinated community effort. The goal of the DoPN would be to identify & prevent these violent situations before the young person decides to resort to violence and before they decide to buy weapons.

Law Enforcement Explorer Post

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Cadet Program is the oldest Law Enforcement Explorer Post in the state of Colorado. Comprised of young adults who range in age from 14 to 21, these uniformed volunteers attend an academy prior to working in a support capacity in areas such as patrol services, detentions, dispatch, training, and special events. Advisers for the Post consist of commissioned and civilian employees who mentor the cadets. These employees set the example for the cadets and work with them towards achieving their personal goals of becoming law enforcement officers or civilian employees. For those cadets that are not necessarily interested in law enforcement, the program helps develop leadership skills in a structured environment that they can apply in any occupation.

The DOPN would consider this an excellent program because it engages youth in the community, mentors youth, encourages leadership skills.

Victim Assistance

VAP (Victim Assistance Program) is dedicated to providing crisis intervention to citizens who have been victimized by crime, or otherwise traumatized within our community. assist in a variety of cases including; domestic violence, house fires, missing persons, sexual assault, robbery, child abuse, harassment, assault, runaway/out-of-control teens, fatal traffic accidents and all other deaths, including those by natural means. addressing victims’ concerns, providing information for resources in the community, helping victims to regain control of their lives and to help victims understand the confusing procedures of the Criminal Justice System. provide support services to Sheriff’s Office personnel, and are committed to educating the public about victimization. The Victim Assistance Program provides an annual training academy for citizens who are interested in giving back to the community by becoming a volunteer victim advocate.

Role of the DoPN.

This is a great program.

  • The DOPN will be able to provide Best Practices based on access to VAP programs in other cities across the nation.
  • Elements of effective community-based Restorative Justice programs would also be made available – these programs are designed to assist victims, and in some cases, Restorative Justice programs can sensitize offenders and change their future behavior.

Making a Difference: Crime Mapping Project

In August 07, the Sheriff’s Office initiated a unique program to share timely and localized crime data with the community. The Sheriff’s Office Crime Mapping Project provides access to localized crime data through the application of an interactive, user friendly format that utilizes the technology of geographic mapping and statistical data collection. The crime mapping information, is available through the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office web-site at www.arapahoesheriff.org , provides the community with the opportunity to access statistical information related to criminal activity reported to the Sheriff’s Office.

Role of the DoPN

  • Great idea to make this information more accessible. Needs more discussion. e.g. where is domestic violence book-kept? What about youth related issues? (e.g. suicide attempts, drug abuse, and child abuse.)
  • There may be a need for finer granularity or different categories for the DOPN to be able to identify how to assist.
  • Does the Sheriff know the names of the youth are “asset deficient”?
  • The DOPN would make an effort to identify infants/toddlers/pre-school children who are “asset deficient.” These youth are more likely to be unprepared for public education and then will continue to fall behind, drop out from school and society, become loose canons, and have a higher probability of running amuck with the law.

City of Centennial

  • DOPN can help reduce non-value added costs related to destructive / violent behavior
    • Centennial can do “more for less” if we continue to avoid the non-valued costs of domestic/interpersonal violence (as Centennial is now able to do with its current "demographics.")   
    • Prevention can be at least 10 times less expensive than incarceration and fixing / repairing the consequences of violence
The DOPN could help advise Centennial on ways to avoid issues involving violence commonly found in large urban areas.
  • DoPN can help the community turn conflict into constructive growth experiences
    • Conflict is inevitable – violence is not
    • Conflict can be an opportunity for growth – we can embrace diversity and use it to our advantage
    • Centennial government could be a model for constructive conflict management / negotiation / ADR
    • The City could model constructive conflict management skills within their operations.  
    • By empowering Centennial residents with the skills needed to constructively manage conflict, we also increase productivity and contributions to the community
The DOPN will provide educational and training resources and promote ADR services such as mediation/negotiation. These same skills could be implemented within Centennial businesses - with an end result of higher productivity, etc. 
  • DoPN can be an additional financial and human resources for Centennial
    • The Annual budget of the DoPN is proposed to be around $10B. AS with most Departments, a signficant portion of these financial resources will come back to each congressional district.
    • Centennial is looking for "new business" that provide "good jobs."
    • By being a "model" community that exemplifies "peacefulness" and a city that practices the principles of nonviolence, Centennial could become a leading candidate as the home of
      • a "Regional Office” of the DOPN or  
      • a “Regional Campus” of the Peace Academy�
The DOPN can be a future source of additional financial and human resources that will help Centennial retain its position as a “Model” city.


  • DoPN can help Centennial retain its status as a “model” city

Retain its “Safe” status by being aware of areas where residents are under duress that will eventually escalate to destructive / violent behavior

    • Centennial is currently in a great position on the "peacefulness" scale, but without continual attention to less privileged persons, this position can quickly worsen. (e.g. a neighboring county has one of highest incidents of violence in the country)
    • Peacefulness is not just the absence of violence/crime (a safe city), but also the presence of opportunity for every resident so No Child/No Adult is left behind or restrained for reaching their human potential. 
    • Continue to be pro-active in preventing costs associated with violence
    • Continue to be pro-active and promote opportunities for all residents. Be known as helping working adults continue their education
The DOPN can help identify areas where certain people are being left behind or conflicts are not being managed.

These areas are potential sources of future frustration, discontent, and anger – that if left unresolved can escalate into destructive physical violence.


  • The DoPN can help identify areas where the City may inadvertently contribute to “structural violence”
    • Laws / Ordinances / Regulations that help specific individuals / groups but unduly constrain / limit opportunities and growth of others (individuals / groups / businesses) are a form of “structural violence” that left unresolved can develop into “physical violence.”
Example: An armored bulldozer was constructed by Marvin Heemeyer and used to destroy 15 buildings ($5M damage) on July 4th, 2004 in Granby, CO. Heemeyer was upset with town officials after fighting with them over zoning rules and town code violations at his muffler-repair business.
  • Centennial can extend the Willow Creek Blue Ribbon model and consider a variation of the “Kalamazoo Promise.”
    • The Kalamazoo Michigan school district made a promise to each and every student in their district that they will have the financial "opportunity" to go to college or receive vocational training beyond high school.

Students must still apply themselves to the learning environment and demonstrate they would take advantage of a college opportunity.  Businesses in the area bought into this promise and are helping finance it.  This “Promise” has had a far reaching positive impact on the community An environment that is good for youth will attract younger families to offset the aging population

    • Families with children are moving back into Kalamazoo, real estate prices are increasing,
    • Younger families are willing to invest in their home, upgrade, enhance, etc. - This is good for local small businesses (construction, landscaping, home decorating, ….)
    • General pride and morale within the city.
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