RTD recognizes Transit Police colleagues on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

On Tuesday, in observance of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, RTD leaders expressed gratitude for the commitment and dedication of the agency’s Transit Police colleagues.

“National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is for those who appreciate the many services that members of law enforcement provide to demonstrate their support. Police officers, like those who serve RTD employees and customers, have thankless and oftentimes dangerous jobs,” Chief of Police and Emergency Management Dr. Joel Fitzgerald Sr. said.

“As I know all too well, officers perform those duties and choose to run toward danger because they take a solemn oath to protect and serve the community. They leave their families daily knowing they may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of people who they may never know, because they chose a life dedicated to public service.”

RTD’s Transit Police Department has grown to include 69 full-time Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-certified police officers who support customers, employees and RTD’s revised code of conduct to create a welcoming transit environment. In 2023, the department experienced its largest growth in the agency’s history.

Additionally, 23 Transit Police recruits are starting regional police academies this month. RTD this year aims to hire approximately 30 more officers; an additional mental health clinician, to bring the total to five; and four additional employees dedicated to outreach to the unhoused.

“The meaningful work of the members of RTD’s Transit Police and Emergency Management Department is a calling, and its demands and impacts are seen and felt by families, friends, colleagues and RTD’s customers,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “I, too, recognize all they do, and I could not be prouder of the team members who constitute the growing department. Their efforts directly benefit the health of our region.”

Customer safety remains a top priority, and RTD continues to take steps so that customers and employees feel safe. The agency is monitoring service areas to address concerns. RTD will continue to add officers in high-traffic areas and provide more coverage at stations, facilities and Park-and-Rides and on vehicles across its service area. The agency has also installed high-resolution cameras at Park-n-Rides across the district to help identify and deter criminals.

Transit Police Officer Corey Averill commended the department’s commitment to sponsoring individuals through the police academy, which he called “a testament to its investment in nurturing talent and ensuring a robust, skilled police force for the future.” The department’s growth provides opportunities for current and future officers, he said, opening doors for career advancement and allowing officers to ascend through the ranks and make a greater impact.

As RTD Transit Police Officers, Averill said, “we are privileged to work across eight counties, collaborating closely with various agencies. This unique opportunity allows us to engage with a broad spectrum of law enforcement techniques and perspectives, enriching our professional experience and fostering a deeper understanding of regional security dynamics.”

Above all, Averill concluded, “our primary goal remains steadfast: to ensure a safe and secure public transit system for everyone in our district. The trust and safety of our community are paramount, and we take immense pride in our role in maintaining these.”