The City of Wheat Ridge has seen a significant drop in crime rates, returning to levels last observed before the pandemic. The Wheat Ridge Police Department reports a 26 percent overall decrease in crime since 2021, marking a substantial improvement from the spike experienced during the pandemic.
A major factor in this reduction is the department's success in recruiting high-quality candidates, even as law enforcement agencies nationwide struggle with recruitment and retention. After staffing levels dipped in 2021, WRPD is on track to add a dozen officers this year. Seven rookies graduated from the academy last December and completed over three months of field training before beginning independent patrols. Additionally, five more recruits are currently testing at the Joint Regional Academy in Lakewood and are expected to graduate this summer.
The department isn’t stopping there. WRPD hopes to bring in another large class to the Joint Regional Academy to start training in July for graduation in December.