RTD notes 68% reduction in copper wire thefts a year after detective bureau launch
Transit Police Detective Bureau allows the agency to open investigations across the district ranging from misdemeanor crimes, thefts, and felonies
DENVER (Oct. 27, 2026) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD)Transit Police (RTD-PD) Detective Bureau, launched just over a year ago, is making significant progress in its ability to pursue investigations for incidents that occur on RTD property across 40 municipalities. So far this year, the agency has seen a 68% reduction in copper wire thefts. RTD has recorded eight copper wire theft incidents through September 2026, compared with 25 throughout the same time last year. Four individuals have been arrested this year for copper wire thefts, supported by Transit Police detectives' focused investigative capabilities. The bureau also has established partnerships with local scrap metal yards to raise awareness about copper wire thefts from rail lines and deter the sale of stolen materials.
Expansion of the bureau has further enabled RTD-PD to assist outside agencies with joint investigations as part of the department’s ongoing collaborations with regional law enforcement partners. Recently, Transit Police officers, including a K-9 unit, assisted the Thornton Police Department in a multi-agency search to locate a suspect who was apprehended on Oct. 13.
The Transit Police Detective Bureau focuses on a breadth of investigations, including thefts generally under $300, criminal mischief, menacing, harassment, and fraud. “The cases reflect the broad range of crimes investigated by RTD detectives – from property crimes affecting customers and infrastructure, to incidents involving public safety threats,” said RTD Transit Police Commander Jonathan Holloway, who leads the bureau. With four detectives, the bureau bolsters the RTD-PD's ability to collaborate effectively with partner agencies that may face resource constraints in pursuing RTD-related investigations.
When RTD Transit Police make an arrest in one of the jurisdictions, the detective bureau benefits from strong relationships with local law enforcement agencies. Because RTD Transit Police does not operate its own holding facility, partner agencies provide access to holding centers for detaining suspects. “By having dedicated investigators who understand the unique dynamics of transit policing, we’re able to coordinate more effectively with our law enforcement partners. These essential partnerships have been invaluable in assisting us in the event of arrests. They also enable Transit Police to meaningfully contribute to joint public safety efforts,” Holloway said.
To support successful case filings, all RTD-PD officers are trained to properly document incidents and follow procedures for in-custody arrests based on the requirements of counties within the service area. These efforts streamline the detective bureau’s ability to submit cases and ensure timely criminal filings.
Over the past year, the bureau’s victim’s advocate specialist has been supporting operators and individuals who may need assistance navigating the court process when a suspect is prosecuted. Additionally, the agency has seen success in identifying suspects through “Be On the Lookout” notices shared among law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects.
The Transit Police Department continues to make significant progress toward making taking transit a more welcoming and secure experience. RTD transparently updates security-related metrics monthly, noting the number of security-related reports compared against the number of boardings. On average, RTD records one security related call for every 2,330 boardings. The agency has also seen a more than 50% reduction in reports of illicit drug activity for most months throughout 2026, continuing improvements from 2025.
RTD recently launched a new mobile app, NextRide that empowers customers to discretely report unwanted activity to Transit Police, as well as purchase digital fares and plan trips. For a detailed overview of the security tactics RTD Transit Police has deployed over the past several years to strengthen safety for customers and employees, visit the RTD Safety and Security webpage.