DENVER — One person has died and three others are injured following a shooting in southeast Denver Saturday night.
The shooting happened in a parking lot of a shopping center located at South Galena Street and East Hampden Avenue around 11 p.m., according to the Denver Police Department.
Officers arrived to the scene and located one injured person, who was transported to a local hospital.
Denver7
Officers and investigators with the Denver Police Department remained on scene Sunday morning.
Officers later learned about three additional victims. One victim was transported by private vehicle to the area of East Iliff Avenue and South Havana Street, where they were pronounced dead, according to police.
Two other victims were also taken to local hospitals by private vehicles.
One victim is in critical condition, another is in serious condition and the third was treated for a graze wound and released, according to a police spokesperson.
Police said their initial investigation found an argument took place following a large gathering in the parking lot. No suspect information has been released.
Officers remained on scene Sunday morning to investigate. The shopping center is closed off to the public, according to Denver7’s Sophia Villalba.
Denver7 will update this story as additional information is released.
Residents at the intersection of E. 17th Ave. and N. Emerson Street were impacted.
There was a heavy police presence for 3.5 hours from about 4:41 a.m. until 8:13 a.m. Friday.
Denver police order block of Uptown neighborhood to shelter in place Friday
The Denver Police Department has not yet released any additional details about the robbery suspect or the alleged crime.
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DENVER — The Denver Police Department (DPD) has quietly launched drones to serve as first-responders in a pilot program, sparking renewed concerns about surveillance and transparency.
The pilot program includes two Skydio X10 drones and two docking stations installed on the roof of the Denver Police Administration building on Cherokee Street in downtown Denver.
Since mid-October, when the pilot program was first launched, the drones have responded to 215 calls for service.
“Leveraging emerging technologies like Drone as First Responder platforms will help us to achieve quicker response times…” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas in a news release announcing the trial run.
The drones operate within a two nautical mile radius of that location, according to DPD.
Denver Police Department
Denver joins a growing number of metro area communities using drone as first-responder programs, including Commerce City and Castle Rock.
However, the program has sparked concerns about transparency around how the program started and who is being contracted to carry it out.
DPD said it is currently piloting with Skydio Drone, and has signed a contract with Flock Aerodome, the same surveillance company at the center of recent controversy over a contract extension it made with the city behind closed doors, according to some Denver City Council members.
A move that is apparently starting to become a pattern for the city.
When Denver7 reached out to Denver Councilmember At-Large Serena Gonzalez-Gutierrez, she said this was the first she had heard about DPD’s drone pilot program.
And as a member of the city’s surveillance task force, she believes the community should have been involved in the decision to launch the pilot program back on Oct. 18.
“We need an opportunity to at least catch up and to implement some guardrails to make sure that we’re not causing more harm,” she said.
Flock Safety, one of the two companies contracted for the trial, is already at the center of disputes with the city and residents over its automated license plate reader cameras.
“After everything that we have gone through with the automated license plate readers… it’s very, very concerning that we’re continuing to do business with this company,” said Gonzalez-Gutierrez.
Denver Police Department
Denver7 reached out to the department Friday, but DPD was not available for an interview.
In the department’s news release, the agency highlighted early successes.
DFR drones have been deployed to 215 calls for service (through December 8th) including, but not limited to: Robberies, burglaries, assaults, fights, weapons-related offenses, narcotics-related reports, and more
Over 80% of the time, drones arrive first on scene to incidents to which they respond
In more than 30% of calls to which they respond, the DFR pilots determine that no patrol response is needed, allowing officers to be redirected to higher-priority incidents
In 95% of the missions they fly, the pilots assess that they’ve provided critical information to officers on the ground
Using the DFR drones, the pilots have helped locate suspects, clear calls without officer deployment, and reduce wait times for service
But some city leaders remain unconvinced that the benefits will outweigh the risks.
“It’s yet to be answered whether or not these can be utilized by avoiding the concerns that people have been stating,” Gonzalez-Gutierrez said.
The zero-dollar Skydio pilot program is contracted through March of 2026.
Meanwhile, a timeframe for obtaining and installing the Flock Aerodome equipment has not yet been determined, according to DPD.
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DENVER — Along what is arguably the most famous street in Denver lies a pervasive crime with a long history in the city. Now, law enforcement is trying out a new kind of operation meant to combat a crime that requires a nuanced approach.
On Aug. 27, the Denver Police Department (DPD) launched its three-part operation meant to curb sex work and sex trafficking on East Colfax. The distinct phases build upon decades of understanding how coercion and exploitation often accompany sex work.
“There’s a lot of sex workers that come into Denver that are not doing this because they want to, but because they’re either under pimp control or they’re being trafficked by a pimp,” explained Lieutenant Ryan Harris, who works with the Vice Narcotics Section in DPD. “We really come at it from a victim-centered approach. We work with a lot of non-government organizations, and our own victim services in-house, really trying to find services and options for those that are involved in sex work.”
Denver7 got an exclusive look at DPD’s three-pronged operation, something the department had never tried before this summer.
“While it is a brand new approach to do all three of those things at the same time on the same night, we’ve been doing a little bit of those things for a long time,” Harris said. “I’ve been involved in this type of work for the last 13 years, and really, even back 13 years ago, we started taking small baby steps towards that.”
First, police conducted an undercover investigation, looking to see who was trying to buy sex in the area of East Colfax. Then, sex workers were offered support and resources from the organizations and victim advocates on scene. Finally, law enforcement conducted strategic enforcement in the area.
That night, Harris said eight people were arrested in connection with accusations of soliciting sex. Their cars were also impounded as a result.
“It’s very important that people understand that if you’re buying sex in Denver, we’re going to find you, you’re going to get arrested, and we’re going to impound your vehicle,” said Harris.
Denver Police Department
As part of DPD’s first three-tiered operation on Aug. 27, eight people who allegedly tried to purchase sex along East Colfax were arrested.
Meanwhile, Harris said in an operation like that, the sex workers are not penalized. Still, sex work is not decriminalized in Denver, and he acknowledged there are times when sex workers are cited.
“But we do that from an empathetic perspective, and we first triage to see if there’s any trafficking,” Harris said.
Chris Richardson, the director of the Crisis Service Bureau at DPD, was on scene alongside officers that night. As a social worker, Richardson has a deep understanding of mental health struggles.
“We’ve grown a lot, just in general, in our knowledge of what this population needs, what they look like, how they present,” Richardson said. “[In the past] a lot of it was blaming the individual for putting themselves out there. And I think what we’ve really come to realize is that a lot of these individuals are forced. They’re coerced. They are manipulated into doing this kind of work.”
Richardson said the focus is on the perpetrators — people purchasing sex — and not on the sex workers attached to it, who are often victimized.
“From my standpoint, it was a double-edged approach. It was getting the bad guys off the street and being able to actually support the individuals that may not want to be in this lifestyle, or maybe are tired of it and just want a way out, and they just don’t know who to reach out to,” said Richardson. “That’s what I love the most about it, is trying to make an impact on someone, and not really having an agenda other than kindness and caring and showing support.”
Denver Police Department
When Denver police arrest someone accused of soliciting sex, their car is impounded.
Also on the ground on the first night of this three-part operation was Jenelle Goodrich, the founder and executive director of the non-governmental organization From Silenced to Saved (FSTS). The group supports survivors of human trafficking.
As Goodrich looked around the area of East Colfax where the enforcement was conducted, she called it “The Blade.”
“The Blade is a stretch of street or real estate in certain cities that are on the circuit — major cities in the nation, where commercial sex workers are put out by their pimps and traffickers to work The Blade and engage in sexual acts,” Goodrich explained. “When we’re only seeing one side of the problem, which is what historically it has been, then we tend to go after girls and penalize them for being victimized.”
Goodrich described the shift in DPD’s approach to sex work and trafficking victims as “drastic,” saying the department understands the nuances of the crime.
“I trust DPD implicitly, especially their human trafficking unit, when it comes time to speak to a potential victim, survivor, that they will be trauma-informed, that they will be non-judgmental, and that they will really give them the care and focus that’s needed for their case,” Goodrich said.
While Goodrich was out on East Colfax with DPD, she informed sex workers about their rights to report the crime.
“We were able to get a lot of amazing feedback that night from girls being shocked that that was their right,” said Goodrich. “From girls taking resource cards, from one individual giving us a hug, that she thought it was so great that we were out here, to a minor that came forward days later to get off of the street — and to be able for the victim services to assist and help with that, to get her home.”
Still, the psychological cycle behind sex work and trafficking can be incredibly difficult to break.
“When there’s a trauma bond with these individuals and these victims, survivors, then it’s really hard to get them out,” Goodrich said. “We have to consistently be going back, be doing this, showing up and telling them that we’re here, and hopefully at some point they will take it and be able to live a better life outside of the control of another individual.”
Crime
Understanding human trafficking and its prevalence in Colorado
According to Goodrich, the issue stretches beyond just the immediate surroundings of East Colfax.
“The spider web that it has affects every single person in the state of Colorado,” Goodrich said. “Statistically, especially with this type of operation — which is going after the demand in one of the pieces of that operation — statistically, buyers are middle-aged Caucasian men, married with two children, with pretty high income, or at least decent income. And so most of that type of man does not necessarily live in this block. He lives all over the Denver metro area.”
Goodrich sent a handful of people who were formerly sex trafficked a few questions from Denver7 related to this story.
One of the women said, “I can not personally call it sex work. It was not consensual, and I had no choice in what was happening to me. I was 17 and still in high school, and a man in his 40s began grooming and coercing me, eventually taking me across the country away from my family and trafficked me. It seemed to be in a blink of an eye. Things were okay, and then suddenly I was trapped in this world, being taken advantage of, and I could not escape it.”
Another woman explained what ultimately broke the cycle for her.
“Well-trained officers, investigators and my advocates rescued me,” she said. “They took me at my lowest moment and supported and guided me through the initial rescue, reuniting with my family through the whole legal process and beyond. I’m grateful to From Silenced to Saved and everyone and their knowledge and training for saving my life.”
When asked how important support and resources were while being sex trafficked, one woman emphasized how difficult the situation is to escape.
“Having the knowledge that there are people out there who can and will help others stuck in the same situation is comforting,” she said. “Education and training for law enforcement on the subject is so crucial for getting people out of these situations. It is a much more common issue than people realize. Everyone who helped me knew exactly what to do, and I am now thriving and have a better life than I ever thought possible. From Silenced to Saved and everyone involved in my case saved my life and continues to help me thrive.”
Denver PD said there are plans for more three-part operations to combat sex work and trafficking in the future, alongside other enforcement practices.
If you or someone you know needs help, you are not alone. You can call Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline at 866-455-5075 or text 720-999-9724.
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The wreck happened around 6:25 a.m. As the bus on Route 15L was heading westbound on I-70, it was rear ended. When first responders arrived on scene, the RTD bus driver did not report any injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was killed in the crash, RTD confirmed.
Westbound I-70 is closed at Holly Street, putting traffic on E. 45th N. Drive — previously Stapleton Drive North — over to Colorado Boulevard where Luber expects there to be backup at the stoplight there. Drivers on I-70 caught behind the closure are backed up to S. Peoria Street and Interstate 225.
This is a scary looking crash on WB 70 before Colorado in the left lane. The entire engine compartment is burned up. No info on how many people might be on that but besides the driver. pic.twitter.com/GPRqRX8wZM
Luber recommends morning commuters use westbound Interstate 270 or southbound Interstate 25 instead. Anyone on westbound I-70 east of Central Park should use side roads or I-270, I-25. Anyone not on westbound I-70 should use side roads past Colorado Boulevard, according to Luber.
The RTD bus was not in service at the time of the crash, according to DPD, and so there were no passengers on board.
Driver hits RTD bus on westbound Interstate 70 at Holly Street Monday morning
DPD told Luber, officers will keep westbound I-70 closed back after Quebec Street as they investigate the wreck.
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DENVER — Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center in Five Points was filled with community members on Saturday as people wanted to address Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas over his proposal to change the department’s disciplinary policy. The push is for an education-based development model for certain low-level policy violations and would be an ‘alternative to traditional discipline.’
“I think it’s very unsatisfying to give someone a written or an oral reprimand a year after they have committed an infraction,” said Thomas. “I think it’s insufficient for the officer, and I think it’s insufficient for the community.”
Denver7 first spoke with Thomas last month about his push for this alternative approach and how it would move from oral or written reprimands to ‘individualized education and training to improve employee performance.’ Thomas explained to Denver7 how a citizen could wait months after filing a complaint against an officer for a low-level violation.
“I want this policy because I want a much more solution-oriented outcome for lower-level forms of discipline because I think that the time it takes to complete these cases in and of itself erodes trust because I think the people are allowed to think the police department has forgotten and then if the outcome in the case is not sustained then you waited a year to tell me, well how serious did you really take that case and so I think that if we can provide those resolutions much more quickly, I think that we can continue to maintain community trust,” Thomas said.
Caleb Foreman
Members of the audience directly asked Thomas questions, with Brother Jeff Fard facilitating the conversation and asking questions from the livestream. Topics of conversation revolved around community involvement, accountability, and specific examples of low-level policy violations.
“We covered all of those questions that were submitted. We also said you have an opportunity to not just ask a question, but sit and dialog with the chief, and that means follow-up questions. Now, you may not agree with what he’s saying. He may not agree with what you’re saying, but you’re communicating,” Fard explained.
Lisabeth Pérez Castle, Denver’s independent monitor, previously spoke with Denver7 about her concerns and the lack of engagement from the community. She says there is no research evidence to support this new model and is worried about how it will impact oversight.
Caleb Foreman
“For the past 17 years, training could have been used in conjunction with discipline, which is the accountability portion,” said Castle. “So this model was something completely different. This is eliminating accountability, eliminating sustained findings, and instead only doing training. That is a completely different thing than doing training in addition to accountability.”
The independent monitor’s annual report showed 94 of 156 officers were disciplined for violating policy and given a written or oral reprimand. Following the meeting, Castle shared that her biggest takeaway was the community wanting their voices heard and to be involved with any future policy changes.
“I think the community is clear. They want to know more. They want to be engaged. They expect to be engaged. They demand to be engaged. I hope that the chief hears that message and involves the community further. Specifically, hopefully in the same model in which the original discipline system was adopted with significant community engagement, academic engagement, research, bringing all parties to the table to discuss what exactly this policy is going to say,” Castle said.
The Denver Police Department is accepting feedback through September 30. Thomas said he has ‘provided considerable community input’ and has received over 800 responses from the community.
Caleb Foreman
While the conversation was focused on the education-based discipline model, there were also conversations ranging from nonviolent concerns surrounding expired tags to a student showing up at Denver East High School with a gun this week. Lanier Deruso and Mckiya Johnson, with the Struggle of Love Foundation, asked questions about school safety and how officers confronted the individual with the gun at school.
“The youth is the upcoming generation, so of course we want to put more information in them so they can [be]come better human beings,” Johnson said.
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DENVER — One person died in a crash involving a motorcyclist and two drivers near southbound Interstate 25 and 6th Ave. on Tuesday night, the Denver Police Department (DPD) said.
DPD did not specify if it was the motorcyclist or one of the people in the two vehicles who died. One person was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The two other people involved in the wreck were taken to the hospital.
#TRAFFIC: #DPD officers are investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcyclist and two motorist in the area of SB I-25 and 6th Ave. One person has been pronounced on scene and two additional parties have been transported. SB I-25 is closed at 8th Ave. Alternate routes advised. pic.twitter.com/0o0RhjvBTh
What caused the crash is still under investigation, DPD Said.
Southbound I-25 closed at 8th Ave. for the crash cleanup and investigation Tuesday night, but has since reopened.
This crash was one of two involving motorcyclists in Denver Tuesday night.
Two people killed in separate motorcycle crashes Tuesday night
Motorcycle deaths have risen 57% in the last 10 years, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). In 2024, 165 motorcyclists were in killed in crashes. That’s the most ever recorded in one year for Colorado.
CDOT
However CDOT said as of April of this year, motorcycle deaths were down 20% compared to the same time period last year.
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Leilani Johnson, owner of RJ’s Tacowich, a food truck owner, who stopped doing business in LoDo after the first ban in the area back in 2022.
Why we’re bringing you this story: Denver7 continues its commitment to hold your public officials accountable by bringing you the voices of people affected by decisions made by the city. For this story, we bring you the perspective of a food truck owner who had to look elsewhere to sustain their business after DPD banned food trucks in the area, and why they said bans won’t address the underlying issue of safety.
Owner of RJ’s Tacowich Leilani Johnson said after the first ban was put in place, she never went back to LoDo because it was so detrimental to her business. Instead, she found new places to operate.
“To see it again to the people who are working so hard… what are you doing about the actual problem?” asked Johnson in response to the latest food truck ban, announced by Denver police last week.
Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Fridays through Sundays, food trucks aren’t allowed in the highly-trafficked area on Blake, Market or Larimer Streets between 18th and 21 streets, as well as 21st St. between Market and Larimer.
They are only allowed in a new designated zone.
Click on the video below to see which areas will be affected by the new food truck ban:
Here’s where DPD is banning food trucks in LoDo starting Sept. 6, 2024
DPD officials said the goal is to reduce the number of fights and incidents that occur after bars and clubs let out, which they said could lead to gun violence.
Denver7 requested an interview with someone from the police department to find out how crime is trending in that area, but a spokesperson only referred us to their Crime Map and other dashboards.
DPD’s Crime Map only offers the last six months of data and shows as few as two violent crimes in a four-week period in that area and a maximum of seven in that same time frame.
“There is a lack of accountability,” said Johnson.
While Johnson has taken her business elsewhere, she believes food truck operators like herself are being unfairly targeted.
“The actual problem is that people are going and being over-served,” said Johnson.
She wants law enforcement to consider other factors that might be to blame, rather than punishing small businesses.
“How much enforcement is present? How much lighting is available?” asked Johnson.
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DENVER — The Denver Police Department is asking for help finding a missing man with a traumatic brain injury last seen on 15th St. and Champa Street Tuesday.
Joshua Cisneros, 44, “does not speak very well,” DPD said.
He has brown eyes and brown hair, according to Denver police. Cisneros stands more than 6 feet tall and weighs 185 pounds.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 720-913-2000 immediately.
#Denver, 44-year-old Joshua Cisneros is missing and was last seen on Thursday, Aug. 27th. near 15th St./Champa St. Please call DPD at 720-913-2000 if you have seen him. pic.twitter.com/UWtgBWbEdP
DENVER — Numerous police departments across the United States have reported that the worldwide technology outage affected their 911 service Friday morning, according to Scripps News.
The Colorado Springs 911 Emergency Communications Center was one of them. The Colorado Springs Fire Department reported the impacts on the social media site X, saying in part:
“It’s important to emphasize CSFD is continuing to respond to all emergencies. 9-1-1 phone lines and department radios are NOT affected and regular patrols remain active in the city. We want to remind community members to still call 9-1-1 for any life-threatening situation or crime in progress. Drivers involved in any serious traffic accidents involving death or serious injuries requiring medical attention, or if alcohol or impairment is suspected, should still call 9-1-1. However, if all drivers are present with a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance information and there is no property damage or injury, you can report the accident within 72 hours online.”
⚠️MICROSOFT WINDOWS FAILURE⚠️
The Colorado Springs 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center is currently impacted by the global Microsoft Windows failure and related CrowdStrike issue. It’s important to emphasize CSFD is continuing to respond to all emergencies. 9-1-1 phone lines…
Callers were also able to reach Denver 911 and the non-emergency line despite the global technology outage, according to the Denver Department of Public Safety.
“Denver 9-1-1 was back to full operations at 6:10 a.m. this morning, and all systems are functioning normally at this time,” the Denver Department of Public Safety said.
Aurora police said the department experienced some effects.
“Our CAD dispatch system [computer-aided dispatch] went down about 10:30 p.m. and we had to transition to manual dispatch. CAD was restored about 2 a.m. and we have been operating normally since,” Aurora police said Friday morning.
But 911 phone lines were unaffected by the outage, Aurora police told Denver7.
Colorado State Patrol told Denver7 there were some impacts on dispatch, but none on emergency services. Phones were still working and CSP did not any delays in response times.
Similarly, the Denver Police Department said the outage did not impact fundamental safety services, such as the ability for officers to respond to calls. However, DPD sent Denver7 a statement that said in part:
“The primary impact to DPD patrol operations was that officers were unable to use the laptop terminals in patrol vehicles, and those systems have been restored. During that time, reports that are typically created by officers and submitted electronically were being done as paper reports. The Department is working to restore supporting systems that currently remain offline.”
On the other hand, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office told Denver7 there were no impacts as of 5:50 a.m. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also said they were also unaware of any issues.
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said, the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack — and that a fix was on the way. The company said the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows.
U.S./World
Widespread technology outage disruptions felt around the world
DURANGO, Colo. — The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued a Missing Indigenous Person Alert for a woman last seen Monday around 8 a.m.
Activation: 64-year-old, Indigenous female, Virgie Mason, brown eyes and white hair, 5’03″/190lbs, was last seen on July 15, 2024, at approximately 8:00AM. Virgie left on foot from the Super 8 Motel located at 20 Stewart Street in Durango. If seen, please call 9-1-1 pic.twitter.com/ucYGQOqPRV
DENVER — The Colorado Bureau of Investigation issued a Medina Alert Tuesday for a 2016 Dodge Caravan with a Montana license plate and the woman driving it.
MEDINA ACTIVATION – Near Ogden St and E Colfax Avenue, a female driving a 2016 Dodge Caravan with MONTANA Plate 2-99798B ran over a male who later died as a result of his injuries. After stopping briefly, the driver fled the scene. The crash occurred on 06/25/24 at 1113 hours. pic.twitter.com/qQFymOva0Q
She’s accused of running over a man near E Colfax Avenue and Ogden Street on Tuesday. She stopped briefly before driving away, the CBI said. He later died.
She was last seen wearing a pink tank top and sunglasses.
The 2016 Dodge Caravan she was seen driving had the license plate number 2-99798B.
Anyone who sees her or the car in the Medina Alert is asked to call 911 or the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000.
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Montis James, a 63-year-old entrepreneur known for selling barbeque in Deep Ellum, was pulling out of the parking lot of Charlie’s Star Lounge near midnight on Saturday, March 23. He had just wrapped up a stint hawking his wares to friends and frequent patrons and was making a quick delivery…
DETROIT – The city has long faced an uphill battle to recruit and retain police officers, which is why a proposed pay raise is awaiting the city council’s approval.
But, not even that would make the Detroit Police Department wages competitive with officers in other cities, including one that made a bold move to poach officers from Detroit.
“I saw it,” said Detroit police Chief James White. “I know that our officers are the best in the country, and I know that they get highly recruited in-state and out-of-state.”
The bold billboard in Detroit suggests officers could have a starting salary of $72,000. If Detroit City Council approves, pay raises for Detroit police would have a starting salary of $53,000.
“I am not surprised,” White said. “I’m a little bit disappointed that someone would post something like that in our community, but I also know that our officers are highly recruited.
A police union leader went to the city council urging the council to approve the pay raises, or the department would continue to lose officers.
“From my conversations with council members, everybody believes that we are way overdue in supporting our DPD men and women,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “I’m looking for unanimous support coming next Tuesday.”
“I sent letters to chiefs across the country saying, ‘Please, don’t hire our people,’” said former Detroit police Chief Ike McKinnon. “They looked at me and laughed.”
Mckinnon says Detroit can’t compete with a $72,000 starting salary.
“You can’t compete with someone whose making or paying $70,000 to start,” McKinnon said. “They’re making as much as some of our command officers are.”
Shawn Ley: “Did you happen to call Indy by chance?”
White: “We won’t get into those conversations.”
So far, 290 Detroit police officers have left the department for other jobs.
The mayor and Detroit’s police union agreed on a new contract on Sept. 30. But so far, those raises have yet to become a reality, and officers are leaving the force for other departments and better pay. (WDIV)
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